"Falling" into Reading

Building our Reading Lives in 8th Grade

Dear Readers,

As we near the end of September, I cannot believe we are almost four weeks into the new school year. It is a joy being back among the students and staff doing what I love.  As an 8th grade class, we have started to implement a few new ideas to build our Reading Lives together as a classroom. The part I love about looping........ having the opportunity to keep what we love, get rid of what we did not and try something new!

Book Corner

After reaching out to my PLN and receiving amazing feedback, I made some changes to the book corner. I decided to put some books with spines facing out. while I created baskets of others. In addition, I labeled the way I thought students would look for books-series, authors, vampires, adventure. etc. 

Reflection: It seems to be working well. Some students still wander aimlessly, but for the most part I see them pulling out bins and using the signs.

Student Recommendations

Last year, as 7th a grade classroom, we tried a few different ways to recommend books to one another. This year, I wanted it to be more visible and a place where we can actually put the books. Each student has a space to place book recommendations. 

Reflection: I think this is also a work in progress. When students were first looking for books, a few used recommendations from others. In fact, a student took HIS own recommendation because he was reading the second book in the series and wanted to refresh his memory. As with anything, I think we need to give this time as we get further into the school year.

Ms. Gross' Recommendations

Using what I knew from last year and the books students recommended at the beginning of September, I chose one book suggestion for each student. One of the greatest joys I have as a Language & Literature Teacher is putting books they will love in their hands. I am pleased to say many took my recommendations. 

Reflection: Over the years I have learned to get to know my students as readers and I love connecting with them through books. I spend so much time reading Young Adult Literature and making purchases for the classroom. I have had the pleasure of watching students who thought they did not like reading read book after book after book. Whether it be an author or series or genre I have hooked them on to. The time and commitment is priceless. 

I have also seen students sharing titles quite a bit the past few weeks. I love hearing, "I am waiting for _______ that _______ is reading. Can I take this one for now?" I also love hearing, "I want to read this next. Can you hold onto it for now?" Of course!!!!

Wildly Important Goal (W.I.G.)

As a Leader in Me and Lighthouse School, goals are an essential component of our school and classroom. A student created the format and structure and is in charge of keeping track. 

Reflection: We decided to keep the same goal from last year and see if we could improve. "As a class we will read ______ books by the end of the ______ quarter. However, we implemented some expectations this time to make it a bit more accurate and challenging. For example, students have to finish the book before adding to the count. Last year, they did it as they were checking them out so they would not forget. 

Bringing Book Love into the Classroom

Penny Kittle's recommendation for Status of the Class has worked beautifully! The students have 10-15 minutes of independent reading time every day. They look forward to that time and I read with them. It has really helped with a smooth transition into class. Every day we record the page number we end on in a log. It is a great formative assessment for me to gauge what and how much they are reading. I also post my reading status. 

Reflection: I have seen a huge increase in the amount of reading! Some students have already read several books (depending on the genre). They can get comfy on the pillows and floor or sit at their desks, they can choose their reading spot. I even had one student say to me the first week, "I can't believe I just read for 15 minutes straight!" I had another student say, "I wish we could read all period!" This is definitely a practice we will continue.

Warm Reading Wishes

We hope that you are enjoying reading as much as we are!

Warmly,

Teresa 

Bittersweet Fall Memories

"Don't Let the Last Chapter Write the Book"

Dear Readers,

"Don't let the last chapter write the book." That is something a friend used to say. We both lost loved ones to suicide and the message was, do not let that define their lives. I lost my father 12 years ago October 26th. He was a son, a husband, a father, an uncle, a brother, a cousin, a nephew, a grandson, a friend, a carpenter, a colleague and much more to many people. We always have to remember who are loved ones were before tragically leaving us forever.

Recently, Paul O'Neill posted a Question of the Day on #PLN365 that made me stop and reflect. 

Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall....which is your favorite season of the year and why? 

Fall has always been my favorite season. I love the cooler weather, fall clothes, football, changing of the leaves, pumpkins, hay rides, back to school, pumpkin flavored coffee at Dunkin Donuts and scarecrows. I love driving down a tree lined road as the sun lights up the different colors-red, orange, yellow-on the trees. I enjoy bundling up for a Friday night football games. But hands down, one of my absolutely favorite sounds is crunching leaves. I am that person who will "wade" through a nice deep pile of leaves. I refrain from jumping in them as to not destroy someone's hard work. 

In 2005, it was just like any fall day, the unthinkable happened. It was Wednesday October 26th and a phone call divided my life into before and after. I was devastated to hear the news regarding my dad's passing. It has been 12 years and it does not get easier, it is just a way of life now. The anniversary will always be there, the feeling of loss and knowing I will never see him again.

Over the years I have watched a remarkable transformation in myself. I have turned that loss into being a voice and advocate for mental health awareness. I have volunteered for AFSP and participated in the Out of the Darkness Walks. I have moderated chats (thank you #ImpactMatters) on the topic of suicide and been a participate in mental health awareness chats (thank you "PeopleSkills). I have been to conferences and Survivor Days. I have done research and shared resources. I wanted to learn and do as much as I could.

Parallel to these wonderful actions though, there was always a feeling of despair and sadness that I could not quite shake. The questions that would never be answered. The feelings of guilt, anger, sadness. Feeling like my world was turned upside down and was no longer living in the world I once was. The feeling that I could no longer relate to peers. I struggled with feeling like a member of an exclusive club I did not ask to join.

Somewhere over the past few years, my perspective has changed. I need to remember, although it was a traumatic, life changing event when I lost my dad, it cannot define my fall. It is one aspect that I will always have with me, but it is up to me to decide how much it is going to impact me. 

Members of my PLN have been instrumental in helping me move forward. You know exactly who you are. You have supported, encouraged, pushed me and been an amazing friend to me when I needed it. 

Now, when I get teary, it is not because of my loss. It is because what I have gained. I am overwhelmed sometimes by the friendships that have developed with people I still have not met! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you do for me.

Warmly,

Teresa