Digital Reading: Chapters 6 - 7

It’s always fun learning together and having conversations about books. This is true in my classroom and even more in the summer when I have time to reflect (OLW15) on my learning.  #cyberPD has been a perfect combo for summer learning. A huge thanks to everyone who has been posting their thinking and commenting!

  

Chapter 6:  Assessment: Keeping Our Eye on the Literacy

This chapter made my heart happy.  I have been shifting my literacy assessments over the past several years to more of a "conversation" with students about their books.  I've never done required reading logs (page number contracts etc) because I believe that killed reading for our own two children in elementary school. My students write me letters about their current reading book and I write back to them. A few years ago that switched from pencil/paper to Google.  That switch really helped me for convenience and also 24/7 communication with my students through commenting.  On page 98 "...it's important to keep parents and families in the loop."  Google has allowed me to do this easily,  I often share a letter with a parent or send it as an attachment if they don't have a Google account.  Most of my shares are positive and allowing parents to see what their child is reading and to see their thinking about the book. At fifth grade, most students are still not sharing their HW with their parents, so this has been a positive communication tool with parents. Sometimes they even join in on the conversations by leaving a comment which is powerful.   

Chapter 7:  Beyond the Classroom Walls:  Connecting Reading at Home and School

I think I was most excited to read this chapter.  It our busy world I am constantly trying to connect home and school beyond the weekly Friday folder.  I know that  I have done that with the weekly reading reflections, but beyond that point I have not figured it out.  My first thought always moves toward the Flip Classroom and shifting HW.   It's been on my radar for at least two years now and every summer I try and tackle it a little bit more.  Time at school is precious but time at home is even more precious.  As a parent of two grown children, I remember the busy sports/CCD/scouts nights and then HW.  I am still pondering how to connect HW to school so that it's not an add on but in addition to the classroom learning.  It's still an enigma to me that I will continue to ponder.

Summer Blogging Break:

Summer has been refreshing, slowing down and reflecting (OLW15) has been exactly what I needed. As this posts, we will be on our summer vacation, and I'm sad that I am going to miss the final Twitter Chat.  A huge thanks to Cathy, Laura and Michelle for organizing another successful #cyberPD.  I will be back sometime in late August ready to share new ideas and ready for the start of a new school year.  

Digital Reading Chapters 3 - 5

Big Ideas from Chapter 3, 4 and 5

• "Each day they used a new tool because it fit their need or purpose at that moment."p. 28
• "They were using s particular piece of technology when it made sense for their learning." p. 28
• "I use tools in ways that extend, expand, analyze and record my reading." p. 29
• "Focusing on the learning rather than the tool created a more authentic workshop" p. 32
• "Students need us to help them navigate the strategies and habits..." p. 47
• "Sometimes the best strategy for a teacher is to simply get out of the way." p. 63

TECHNOLOGY TIPS AND TECHNIQUES:  Ann Marie Corgill

Knock me over as I read Ann Marie's tips....the idea of integrating tech tips into your weekly schedule.  I have read about this concept in different formats and still don't find time in our classroom schedule.  Last year, I did a much better job of building a Digital Menu.  Introducing our class to a new tool allowing time for exploration and practice then allowing choice in the lesson.  It was 50/50 some students went back to their favorite (Keynote, Explain Everything, Comic Life) others would try the new tool.  This year I plan to do a combination of new digital tools and allow the students to choose which one they are an expert in and letting them teach it to their peers.  Less reliance on me and more ownership on them.  

Finally I really enjoyed reading the Voices from the Classroom.  My biggest learning typically comes from hands and eyes on in the classroom. In all these sections, I learned a new strategy or how to modify ones that I am currently using.  It was fun to learn about a few new websites.  I am also thankful for the opportunity to write a section for a voice in the classroom and sharing my experiences with Wonderopolis.  Reflecting on my own practices helped me think deeper and becoming published in a book is now off my bucket list.  Thanks Franki for inviting me to write a small part in your book. 

Celebrating #SummerPD at Home

Time to Celebrate thanks to Ruth for always encouraging us to choose celebration!

This week's link up is here.

It's still raining in Ohio...plans had to change and gardening has been difficult.  I kept thinking the rain would stop, but it hasn't  I celebrate the time it has created for my summer learning.   I didn't have to go any further than my back deck. I am celebrating a balance with my book choices: adult, children and professional books.  None of those decisions are ever easy for me and finding a balance can sometimes drive me crazy.  

My professional book:  READERS FRONT & CENTER by Dorothy Barnhouse is a grand slam for me.  I've been struggling with my reading conferences and here are several ideas I'm lifting from  this book which is why it s a home run.  

• "I had fallen into the trap that if a student retells a story that means they are getting it" p. 16
• "So you're rereading to try to figure it out. That's a great strategy. What makes you think it's a ----" p. 18
• "Oh you're changing your mind: How come? What information in the text is telling you it could be a ----" p. 19
• Staying in a researcher mode is key to a conference. "What can I find out about this student as a reader?" p. 20
• "Every text has an opening that allows us to notice how our students are comprehending." Accepting this takes an enormous shift in attitude, frankly a text does have right and wrong answers. p. 22

I'm only on Chapter 3 and I had to stop and blog...needed time to start recoding my ideas and gathering great questions as I get ready for revamping my conferences this fall.  

Digital Reading: Chapters 1 & 2

How I read professional books has changed over the years.  I am curious about the author’s word choice so I find myself collecting vocabulary words and writing them in the margins.  In Chapter 1 & 2 I noticed:

·      Motivation

·      Intention

·      Flexible

·      Superficial

·      Rigorous

·      Interact

·      Ownership

In both chapters: Defining Digital Literacy and From Reading Workshop to Digital Reading Workshop, the first step is determining the intention of the lesson and increasing the motivation for all students. Motivation is varied among students: digitally it could include the flexibility of: BYOB device, class devices, Kindles as well as blogging, websites, and digital magazines. As the teacher I always take ownership of knowing my students as readers and writers through conferences. My goal is that the mini lessons will increase the rigor at the same time “being aware that some students may interact at a superficial level.” This was a key point for me as I read about Marissa. I reflected on this year’s class and know that I had a few Marissa’s.  How did I help them achieve ownership of their reading?  I was still giving them 2-3 book choices in March when they couldn’t find a JR book.

It is always gratifying to me when I read a professional book and in my head I can say “Yes I am doing that" or “Hooray I’ve tried those websites>" Sometimes in education we need to be our own cheerleaders.  As I finished, chapter 2, I started to think about the statement that was posed: What is my vision for my digital workshop for the 2015-16 school year.  I am constantly thinking about how to make it stronger and I’m sure as I continue to read the rest of the book I will continue to lift the best ideas out of Digital Reading:  What’s Essential in Grades 3-8 in addition to reading the blog posts.

I am excited to learn along with you, and I'm thankful to Cathy, Laura and Michelle for hosting #cyberPD.  Here is the link up for this week.