Literacy Lab!

I just spent an incredible two days at Lit Lab with Ken Stamatis! Seeing and hearing the things he had to say made me really want to be back in the classroom. I watched so many of the teachers around me either grading papers or reading books or doing various and sundry other things instead of trying to take in what he was saying. Teachers can be so rude! Well, maybe they don't have a corner on rudeness but it sure showed up! I just wonder what goes on in their classrooms? Are their students as bored with them as they seemed to be during this incredible learning experience? Our secondary students are in trouble. And maybe it's because some teachers just don't want to take the time to be challenged to do something different.
However, let me tell you about this one incredible (that's my word of the day) teacher I have been observing using the Lit Lab philosophy. She teaches 9th Grade English at a nearby High School. Her students are so turned on to reading and, watching her class is like watching a demonstration vidoe of what Lit Lab should be like. Talk about engaged! Now my observations are not a one-time thing. I have been trying to go at least once a week so I have seen this class over time. Today they were doing Book Talks and I wanted to borrow some to show my college students. Every student should be so fortunate (blessed) to have a teacher who models a love for reading. She does great "think alouds"--just like we all are supposed to do. If anybody would like to observe her "in action", let me know and I will set it up for you!

Blogging!

I truly enjoy reading all the blogs--even though I don't do it often enough! It is amazing to see the depth in some of the writings. I wish it were true for everyone. Some see this only as an "assignment" while others are beginning to get the value of writing their thoughts and ideas. Hopefully, some will have the time and energy to read what others are writing. You know, we all should be writers if we expect our students to write--just as being a reader is important to being a model to our students.