This post is week 6 of 8 in the 8 Weeks of Summer Blog Challenge for educators.
How am I planning to implement change next school year? My BHAG of improving English language acquisition and literacy at my school will be implemented throughout the school year, beginning even today:
- I am taking two unexpected online courses called “Fierce Teaching” and “Six Traits of Writing.”
- I am working on my year plan as I study my TESOL course.
- I have bought 175 early readers to fill up my suitcases to bring back to our classroom collections.
I have no doubt that I and my colleagues will continue to implement the goals we have for the next school year right through next June. One step at a time. One student at a time.
I love Six Traits of Writing — it makes so much sense for the writer in their writing and in their reading to see how other writers create their stories and information. It’s a great way to talk about writing and focus on what’s really important– without getting hung up on the one trait: conventions. It provides a way to give feedback to students that encourages them to do more, because there is always one thing they’ve got. And that one thing that positive thing that allows them the confidence to try another strategy. Which class did you take– where? I will love to read your posts about it when school starts again.
Sheri,
Thanks for the encouragement. I am learning so much about writing. The class is actually located in Spokane. The teacher is Karen Lea. It’s an online course through VESi (Virtual Education Software); it’s self-paced. Though, I’ve known a lot about the Six Traits, and have tried to implement them, actually I am learning so much more now. I am learning practical ways to teach the traits that I had never really thought of before. They are a framework for hanging a lot of skills on, and we can teach children there is a reason for learning things like passive and active voice.
This summer has encouraged me to blog about education again, so I like your subtle nudge to write about the Six Traits when school starts. I will, I hope!
Thanks, friend,
Denise