Allison Behne
October 9, 2015
Issue #377
As I sit down to write this tip, I am struggling. There are a hundred things I want to write about, but I cannot get myself to focus on one solid thought. Five completely different articles are started, but I just haven’t had the aha moment I need to select one and push through. Typically I have an idea and can sit down and get out my first draft with ease, but not today.
What is it that is so different about today? Normally if I am stuck I call Lori, or Gail and talk through a few ideas. A good conversation about our latest classroom experiences can always dismantle a writing block. However, today all three of them are on a plane flying to our next workshop and I won’t be joining them until tomorrow. So it is me, myself, and I . . . working through this struggle.
This challenge is similar to one our students sometimes face. I know a collaborative conversation would get me started, and it makes me think of what they need. When we confer with a writer who is struggling, we are able to talk them through that struggle, giving them the gentle push they need to get over the hump. That just-in-time coaching can make a huge difference in a student’s practice and productivity. The great thing is, these conferences don’t take long . . . Just a few minutes can encourage writers to get back on track.
As for my writing hump, thank you for helping me work through it. As a silent audience you “listened” and gave me a teachable moment to write about.
News from The Daily CAFE
Questions Answered . . .
Do you ever rearrange your classroom after school starts?
We do. If your classroom design and organization isn’t working as well as you thought it would, these articles may help.
Purposeful Practice . . .
Trusting Our Instincts as We Confer*
Sometimes a good coach affirms what we already know. Watch Joan and Daniel to see what we mean.
Assessment Matters . . .
The Power of Informal Assessment*
When students show us where they struggle and where their sticking points are, it provides us with an avenue for perfectly individualized instruction.
Try Today . . .
Ask Questions Throughout the Reading Process*
Hollie Gebhardt models a strategy for students while modeling a lesson that is focused and brief for us.
Focus on Health . . .
Listen to the Wind
Do we make others feel valued by the way we listen?
*Available to members
Professional Development Opportunities
The Las Vegas workshops are full, but there is still room in the November Online Seminars. Sign up here: November 1–November 28
Thank you to everyone who participated in a live workshop or online seminar this year. We love these in person and virtual opportunities to share and learn from each other. We are reviewing survey responses to help guide the focus of 2016 professional development events.
We plan to join you for workshops in ten U.S. cities in 2016. Stay tuned for an update in late October.