Comments for Catching Readers Before They Fall

Comment on Wordless Wednesday: Our Hall Journal by Mandy

Mandy — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:58:47 +0000

This is a great idea. Can one assume it’s a shared writing? I use to do something similiar years ago on larger chart paper. Is that a pocket chart you purchased or something you made with fabric?

Comment on Wordless Wednesday: Our Hall Journal by Cathy

Cathy — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 03:03:13 +0000

Katie,
Love this!
Cathy

Comment on Readers’ Statements by Kristi

Kristi — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:36:51 +0000

I just finished Choice Words and absolutely agree with the philosophy. I think I am pretty intentional about my words, but as I read your post I realize the phrase “good readers…” has come out of my mouth. Thanks for calling my attention to it! I know there are others out there that model using the phrase. I’ll have to start crossing off the ‘good’ in that statement when I come across it in P.D. books.

Comment on Readers’ Statements by Mrs. V

Mrs. V — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 03:55:38 +0000

I enjoyed reading all of your examples. I was also glad to see that you just say “Readers.” I haven’t read Choice Words yet but will be soon; however, I had always wondered about the whole “good readers” and “good writers” for statements. This year I was helping out a new teacher and we discussed this and she ended up going with simply readers/writers. It’s nice to see that others have decided on the same.

Comment on Readers’ Statements by Jean

Jean — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 02:54:58 +0000

I love it! Just the focus I needed.
Thank you!

Comment on Readers’ Statements by Michelle @litlearningzone

Michelle @litlearningzone — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 01:39:58 +0000

I’ve caught myself many times saying ‘good readers’ but I love the explanation of why I should not use that terminology. (“Choice Words” is in my TBR pile. Guess I need to move it up!) I love how you use your readers’ statements to plan instruction. I do the same similarly following the 2 sisters approach with the CAFE menu, but this just digs in a bit more clarifying my intentions! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Comment on Readers’ Statements by Julie

Julie — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 16:59:15 +0000

Katie, This post is very timely as our building has been working on “learning intentions,” which is another word for your reading statements. I am going to share this post with my principal. I agree with you and Cathy both that making our children part of the process in creating the statements is of utmost importance. It gives us all the sense of being experts in our classrooms, not just the teacher. Thanks! Julie

Comment on Readers’ Statements by katie

katie — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:52:58 +0000

Thanks for your comment Cathy. I love your reminder to let the kids help us create these statements. They can often put it into words in a way they “get” – much better than I can. I’ve changed many statements after the “kid talk” guides me to a better way to state it. Thanks!

katie

Comment on Readers’ Statements by Cathy

Cathy — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:31:39 +0000

Katie,
This post really is helpful in thinking about the language we use with our young readers (writers, mathematicians). I find it helps me to think about this ahead of time as well. Sometimes I’m not sure of the perfect words and have students help me to find them. They are sometimes much better at this. Of course, I love the reminder not to put the word good in front — and I try to avoid “smart” for the same reason.

Cathy

Comment on Thanks, Ralph! by Mrs. L

Mrs. L — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:13:46 +0000

Thanks for the great poetry reminders. Ralph Fletcher is ‘the man’!