Questions

Math class was fast-paced and fun today.  Robin underscored the gift of using group-work projects and problems as easier and more efficient ways to address standards in the curriculum.  This is a familiar refrain in our classes, but the problems she gave us literally had us asking for more.  At the end of class we looked at the standards that we covered - fabulous.  The math curriculum in my district is highly prescribed down to the worksheets due on each day to the unit tests that get sent to the district.  I will eke out time to do some of these group problems.  I still have questions about how to implement groups wherein each student is engaged and responsible . . .

Speaking of questions - I thoroughly enjoyed the article: "Never Say Anything a Kid Can Say!"  The essence for me spiraled around questions, and how to ask thought-provoking, process-oriented questions that lead the students to their own answers and the differences between their answers.  I especially enjoyed thinking of a class where the questions matter as much as the answers, where more students are engaged thinkers.  The little nugget that stood out for today was requiring students to ask questions instead of saying "I don't get it."  Brilliant.

Literacy Just Keeps Growing

The Sulzby and Teale article resonated deeply with the way that I raised my kids - thinking of literacy through our every day lives from lists and love notes, to favorite books and recipes. Writing utensils and media were readily accessible and regularly used. Most of all sharing the pure love of a story well-told and art that makes you pause in awe, wonder or fits of laughter. I guess I am saying that I have personal experience with the efficacy of these methods. What a fabulous idea to do it in the classroom too. I especially love the cozy library and the writing center ideas, perhaps with little mailboxes for everyone in the classroom.

It was timely for me to write this today because my 11 year old just discovered a "journal" that she wrote when she was 4 or 5. It took her a long time to decipher her original meaning from vowel-less spellings and little drawings, but it seemed to return to her with a burst of insight into her young self. Delightful. Her sophistication with reading, writing and oral expression continue to grow exponentially. I am excited to deepen my understanding of their development.