Several summers ago, I set up an online course for my teachers to collaborate and learn through the summer with Nancy Atwell’s book , In The Middle.
Here are some of the comments shared throughout that summer course that encouraged each of us to continue to perfect our teaching craft:
In completing this book study, I find myself very excited to incorporate the reading and writing workshop in my classroom. Yes, some of the tasks and ideas sound daunting BUT… they are going to benefit my students. Isn’t that the whole reason we got into this profession in the first place? We have a love for kids so large that all we want for them is the best.
My favorite part of the day was when I could read aloud to the students (mentor texts as well as novels). There were so many opportunities for us to stop and have a real discussion about the characters, word choice, inference, etc. Everyone (even shy little Johnny) would pipe in with a comment or question because it was a relaxed setting and they enjoyed the high interest books. The students didn’t realize they were learning but we now had this common reference point to go back to with future mini lessons.
I want the feel of warmness. Like I can curl up and read a good book or two. I also was thinking about bringing a big area rug in and place it in the up front center of the classroom. I plan to add greenery too… I did notice at Hobby Lobby you can buy the squared pillow foam for $5.99 and just make a pillow case to go over. What I am envisioning with this is a good amount of the same sized pillow that students can place behind their backs if reading along the wall, sit on top of, lay on their tummies and place elbows on top of the pillow (so elbows don’t get sore), or lay the back of their heads on if they want to read holding the book up and over their head. However, when it is time to clean up, the size and shape will stack nice, neat, and uniformed. The cases can be brought home to clean periodically.
I love the end quote “lonesome no more.” That is perfect for what we are doing. As a teacher I didn’t necessarily feel the lonesomeness, but I know that some of my students did. I also know that as a mom, there have often been times that my children have felt that same lonesomeness in reading their required reading selections. “Lonesome no more” is such a great quote because not only are the students allowed to read selections that they can relate to and understand, they are able to communicate with others about the book. I like the social part of it…students today are so disconnected from reading, but they are also disconnected socially with all the technology available to them. It is important for us to get them involved in reading, but also back to being able to communicate with each other face to face. I like the writing aspect (journaling part of it to get them started), but to also have conferences with myself and other peers.
A recurring message that Atwell uses is her self-examination as a reader and a writer and what motivates and inspires her. She uses that to guide her teaching. This moves me. This speaks to my heart as a reader, a writer, and a teacher. Last year when I dappled with dialogue journals, I was shocked at the quality of my students’ responses as well as their implementation of mechanics while writing to me. That inspired me and helped me see journals as being a primary conduit to allow the building of literary relationships with all of my students. I think the bottom line in successful workshops is PASSION, desire, and a teacher’s willingness to become a participant within her classroom… more so than a teacher. I want to model what a rich literate lifestyle looks like and feels like. I think writing with my kids is powerful when I share the HARD spots for me. Students need real. My students have always craved real.
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