#CyberPD Week Three

This is week three of #cyberPD, a virtual book study group that I am participating in this July along with other educators. The group is reading Being the Change: Lessons and Strategies to Teach Social Comprehension by Sara K. Ahmed. You can find out more information about #cyberPD here.

As I was reading Chapter Five, "Finding Humanity in Ourselves and Others," I was also reading The Red Bandana (Young Readers Adaptation) by Tom Rinaldi. This is a story of an upstander, defined as "people who decide to help or to stand up, no matter the consequence" (p. 106). The book is an account of 9/11, so it's heart-wrenching. It's also the story of Welles Crowther, one of the heroes of that day, who sacrificed his life to save others so there's inspiration in the pages of the book, as well. The books ends with a reminder to readers that we all have choices and we can choose to be one who helps. This book provides young readers with insight into a crisis, a horrific tragedy, that occurred in our world, but it can also spark discussion about courage, self-sacrifice, and how helping makes our world a better place.

Sharing literature which illustrates the power of standing up and helping others is essential. Picture books, like Super Manny Stands Up! by Kelly DiPucchio and Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller, are must-reads in the classroom because they convey important messages about kindness and compassion that we want our students to take to heart. The conversations we engage students in about ideas related to this literature are important, but Sara offers us ways to deepen the learning about these concepts. Working with students on understanding the idea of having an obligation to others and helping them to recognize who they feel obligated to, seems to dig deeper into the mindsets that result in our decision to help or not help. Our identities and perspectives tie into the choices we make. Exploring our identities and perspectives in relation to our decisions to be kind and empathetic seems a helpful way to support students in developing strong, positive relationships with others.

When 9/11 occurred, I was just beginning my career as a teacher. I remember the challenge of addressing students' concerns about this event. There have been many crises in our world since and managing the questions and conversations that students want to have is still a challenge. There is a need to help students process what is happening around them, but also ensure that they are safe. Sara offers great suggestions in the last chapter of the book for responding to the events of our world. Listening, taking the stance of learner alongside students, and sharing the stories of good in the world will help both teachers and students process what the world hands us.

As Sara states on the last page of her book, there is no magic formula for changing the world, but every effort we make to support students in navigating the world with understanding, kindness, and compassion is a step in the right direction.

The Story Collector by Kristin O'Donnell Tub

For many book lovers, living in a library would be a dream come true. Viviani Fedeler is living such a life in The Story Collector.

Viviani was born in the New York Public Library where she lives with her parents and her two brothers. She loves stories, but doesn't think the stories of her own life are very important. When Viviani tells a new girl at school that the library is haunted, the girl does not believe her. Viviani's plan to prove she is not a liar gets her into a predicament with her friends, but then she needs the help of one of those friends to solve a library mystery.

This book takes place in the 1920s and is based on the real life Viviani Fedeler who was actually born in the New York Public Library in 1917. Because her father was the superintendent of the library she lived there until she was fifteen. In the note at the end of the book, the author provides some historical information about Fedeler's family and the library itself.

The story draws readers into the time period, but also brings the library itself to life. From playing baseball in the library, with books as bases, to hiding in the card catalog, to exploring the rooms of the library at night, Viviani's life in the library seems fun and full of adventure. The story also addresses friendship as Viviani wrestles with a dilemma related to making and keeping a friend. The ending of the story is satisfying as Viviani learns about stories and realizes she does have a story worth sharing.

The Story Collector will speak to the hearts of those who love books and stories, especially librarians. With an interesting setting and a plot with a bit of mystery this story is an enjoyable read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Henry Holt and Co., 

I read a digital review copy of the book. 

This book publishes in August. 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a community of bloggers who link up to share what they are reading. To find out what other bloggers are reading, check out the host blogs: Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers. You can also follow on Twitter at #imwayr.

Recent Reads...

Goodbye Brings Hello by Dianne White

This book celebrates the changes and milestones of growing up. As something ends for the children throughout the book, something new begins. There is an encouraging message to embrace all the new and different opportunities that life brings. I thank Unleashing Readers and the publisher for the giveaway opportunity through which I won a copy of this book.

Mr. Monkey Bakes a Cake by Jeff Mack

Mr Monkey bakes a cake, but because he has eaten too many bananas while doing so, he decides to bring it to a cake contest. There are lots of funny near-mishaps along the way and an encounter with an unfriendly gorilla. Readers will root for Mr. Monkey as he tries to get his cake to its destination in one piece. I am always on the lookout for beginning reader series that will amuse my students as the Mo Willems's Elephant and Piggie Books do. I think the Mr. Monkey series will be enjoyed just as much. This book has short, repetitive text, charming characters, and lots of humor.

What Do They Do with All That Poo? by Jane Kurtz

There are more facts about zoo animals' poo in this book than you ever wanted to know! Students are going to be fascinated with the information they'll learn from the book. It features different zoo animals, telling interesting facts about their poop. It also gives information about what zoos do with the immense amount of animal waste that piles up at the zoo. When I bring this book to school in the fall, I imagine that it is not going to stay on the shelf very long. This is another book I was lucky to win a copy of, thanks to Word Spelunking and the publisher.

Escape From Castaway Island (Mr. Puffball #3) by Constance Lombardo

Mr. Puffball desires fame and fortune, but he knows his friends are what matter the most. In the third book in this series, Mr. Puffball is starring in a reality show, Celebrity Castaway Island, along with his feline friends, some who seem more like frenemies. As Mr. Puffball tries not to get voted off the island there is lots of adventure, mishaps, and humor. This is a series I'll recommend to readers who enjoy illustrated novels and fun stories that make them laugh. Thanks to the author, Constance Lombardo, for sending my book review group, #BookExcursion, a copy of the book to review. 

The Red Bandana (Young Readers Adaptation) by Tom Rinaldi

This true story tells about Welles Crowther, a hero of September 11, 2001. Like any account of 9/11 this is a heart-wrenching story, but it is also inspiring and hopeful. The book portrays the self-sacrifice and courage that Welles exhibited that day and offers a reminder that heroes live among us. This is an informative account of 9/11, which will give young readers insight into what occurred, but it will also be useful to spark discussions about the fact that we can make choices to help others and make this world be a better place.

Literacy Essentials by Regie Routman, Part II

I have been reading Regie Routman's book, Literacy Essentials: Engagement, Excellence, and Equity for All Learners. The book is divided into three sections: "Engagement", "Excellence", and "Equity." I previously read and wrote a blog post about the first section, "Engagement" here. The second section of the book, "Excellence," is brimming with as much practical and insightful knowledge as the first section.

The idea of teacher excellence is something I have strong beliefs about. I have seen programs come and go in the different school districts I have worked in. Some of these programs were abandoned after only a couple of years. The remains of these programs often get tucked into the back of storage closets, gathering dust, as the components of a new, shinier model take its place. Sometime the materials connected to these programs were never even opened because teachers were unsure how to use them within the program or they were never necessary to begin with. None of these programs have been the quick-fix that it seems many educators, administrators, and other stakeholders seem to be looking for. Unfortunately that quick-fix will never exist because programs won't work for all students all of the time.

Ensuring that there is an excellent teacher in every classroom is a fix, although one that takes a greater investment of time than the implementation of a boxed program. In the first chapter of the "Excellence" section of Literacy Essentials, Routman explains that professional learning must be a priority if the goal is teacher excellence and the high achievement of all students. I wholeheartedly agree with this. Programs don't make excellent teachers. The recipe for excellence includes a commitment to professional learning in which teachers delve into understanding the reading and writing processes, how students learn best, and the best practices for literacy instruction. This recipe also needs to include time for collaboration in which teachers have opportunities to problem solve together, share what works in their classrooms, and discuss ways to improve student learning. Excellent teachers make the difference in students' achievement.

There is much more within the pages of this section of the book, but here are a few of my takeaways about "Excellence."

My Takeaways

• Ongoing, collaborative professional learning is crucial to ensuring that there are effective teachers in every classroom. Professional learning that involves conversation about shared beliefs related to literacy instruction and empowers teachers to implement best practices based on those beliefs will have long-lasting effects on students' achievement.

• Let students talk. Learners deepen their knowledge when they engage in conversation. Supporting students as they learn to actively listen and increase their conversational skills will help to make discussions more effective. When teachers talk less and listen more, students have more opportunities to engage in talk themselves.

• If students are to get better at reading and writing they need to read and write a lot. Share great literature with students and make the connections between reading and writing. Show students that readers can learn about authors' craft by reading and trying out this craft in their own writing.

• The end goal in teaching readers and writers is independence. When students are allowed to do the authentic work of readers and writers, they build a sense of agency that will support them as they read and write more challenging text over time. Conferring is an opportunity to name students' strengths and provide feedback that will nudge students forward in their reading and writing.

• Be a teacher who reads and writes. By reading and writing and sharing this with students, teachers model a literate life. Teachers also gain an understanding of the reading and writing processes that students are being asked to engage in. When teachers read what their students read, they become more knowledgeable about children's literature and have more expertise about books they can share with students and can make recommendations for students.

Look for my thoughts about the final section of the book, "Equity," next week.

#CyberPD Week Two

This is week two of #cyberPD, a virtual book study group that I am participating in along with other educators. The group is reading Being the Change: Lessons and Strategies to Teach Social Comprehension by Sara K. Ahmed. You can find out more about #cyberPD here. 

Watching the news or scrolling through my feed on social media, I have no doubts that there is room for our society to change and grow. In fact, change and growth our vital to a better world. We could use more kindness, more compassion, more humanity. Reflection, exploration, and conversation about our world, our place in it, and how we relate to others will help lead to this change. As tough and uncomfortable as this work may seem, it's the work that will propel us forward.

Chapters three and four of Being the Change, offer us tools to reflect, explore, and converse with our students as they consider ideas about the world and their understanding of it. As I read these chapters, I found myself thinking that the conversations the lessons will inspire are the sort that I tend to avoid. I have been guilty of steering the conversation in a different direction when the topic seems to be one that could potentially cause distress or when students bring up questions that are hard to answer. Although discussing bias and supporting students in recognizing bias, the focus of chapter three, can be a heavy topic, it's important to address. Classrooms can be the safe places where students discuss these ideas. Students naturally have questions about the events that are taking place in their lives and the world and the lessons in chapter four can help them make meaning out of what is happening. Even if these questions about the world lead to discomfort, students need the time and space to explore what is happening around them.

As I read the chapters this week, I found myself changing. Rather than avoid the difficult conversations, we can create a safe environment of trust and respect and foster deeper understanding. We can help students make sense of ideas, such as bias, and the events of the world. We can help them figure out the kind of people they want to be and how they want to relate to others. Getting their may take some hard work, some of it risky and uncomfortable, but if we trust in our students and ourselves we can do it. 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a community of bloggers who link up to share what they are reading. To find out what other bloggers are reading, check out the host blogs: Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers. You can also follow on Twitter at #imwayr.

What I've Been Reading...

Geraldine by Elizabeth Lilly

Geraldine moves and when she starts at her new school she is the only giraffe. She feels out of place until she meets Cassie, the girl who wears glasses, likes math, and organizes her food. With Cassie's help, Geraldine learns to embrace the qualities that make her who she is. This book would be useful for discussing uniqueness, identity, and self-acceptance. Geraldine has a lot of personality, dramatic, at times, but funny. The illustrations are humorous, as well.

The Truth About Dolphins: Seriously Funny Facts About Your Favorite Animals by Maxwell Eaton III

This book is part of a nonfiction picture book series that combines information with humor. The text provides straightforward facts while the playful illustrations and speech bubbles add a comic element. I have many readers who love to learn about animals and also enjoy books that are silly so I think this is a winning combination. Readers will both learn and laugh while reading this one.

Elephant Secret by Eric Walters

This was an amazing read. Engaging and interesting. It has elephants with personality, a surprising twist, and lots of heart. Read my review of this book that publishes in August here.

Mr. Wolf's Class by Aron Nels Steinke

I am always excited to read new graphic novels because my students love them so much. This one about the first day of school in Mr. Wolf's class is charming and funny. The students, although animals, are true to the life of fourth graders. I wasn't surprised when I read the author's bio to find out he is a teacher himself. This is the first in a series and a definite must-have for my graphic novel collection.

Elephant Secret by Eric Walters

I got to the last page and wished I could have stayed longer in the elephant sanctuary that is the setting of this book.

Thirteen-year old Samantha Gray lives on a North American elephant sanctuary with her father where they care for a herd of elephants. Samantha has lived with the elephants all her life, understands them better than people, and considers them her family. A baby elephant is born on the sanctuary and, because the mother dies during birth, Samantha takes on the responsibility of tending to her needs. About halfway through the book, the secret of the baby elephant is revealed and from there the story takes an intriguing turn. I enjoyed being totally surprised by the twist in this story, so I will say no more.

This book gives readers insight into the characteristics and behavior of elephants, bringing to light what amazing creatures these animals are. Amused by their personalities and fascinated by their loyalty, I adored the elephants. Samantha is a great character, as well, displaying a selfless love for the elephants and bravery when the lives of the elephants is threatened. Although the elephants are central to the plot, another storyline explored Samantha's relationship with her father and her father's girlfriend, adding another tender element to the story.

A compelling read that imagines a possibility that may be fact in our future, calls attention to the need to protect the wildlife of our planet, and warms the heart. 

I read an advance reading copy of this book, thanks to the publisher, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers. This book publishes in August.