Becoming a reader

Each semester I have several students who admit that they would not call themselves readers. This makes me sad (more like horrified), especially since many of the students I teach are either pre-service teachers or are currently teaching in our schools. Throughout the semester, we read books, blog about them, and talk about ways to find books they will like. We also discuss why being a teacher/reader is important for the students they will teach.

I think this is a great graphic on how to read more (and become a reader). The graphic is from Austin Kleon’s website (https://austinkleon.com/2019/03/21/how-to-read-more-3/). Go there to read more about how to read more.

Building A Classroom Community

We talk much about creating a classroom community, but I'm not sure we always work towards that, especially in higher education. During my secondary school literacy course this semester, we began the semester by talking about creating a classroom community, but these students really made it happen. They became a community of learners and a community of readers and writers, but they also became a community of people who really cared for one another.

We took pictures at the end of the last class together and while I love both pictures, the one "crazy" picture is more of what our classroom became. After the first few classes together, we weren't posing any longer. We shared ups and downs as readers and writers, shed a few tears together, but also laughed a lot together. We came to love each other, even with all our quirks!

Each time a semester begins and all those individuals walk into class for the first time, I wonder how we will come together as a class. This class...I'll never forget.

My One Word for 2019