"Teach the Reader, Not the Book"

Ok, so this blogging thing...keeps getting down-graded on my to-do list. I don't want this to feel like a chore. I want this to feel like a place to journal thoughts, something I WANT to do.

I gotta quit feeling guilty about what I don't post and appreciate what I do have time to post!

Ok - now for a focus: After three days of training in what I'm fondly referring to as "Kasey's Klass" and four amazing days of learning at Lesley, one of my big "ah has" was "teach the reader, not the book."

Let's think about that for a minute. The last 19+ years of teaching students, I have taught novels, short stories, poetry, nonfiction. I help kids dig deep in books. It has taken me this long to consider the reader first and the text second - geez! Kids need the skills to tackle all kinds of text, and it is up to ALL content teachers to help them achieve those skills. What can help educators get there? About a million content area reading strategies!!! : )

It was not only cool that this understanding hit me, but I actually witnessed one of my colleagues go through the same revelation. At the same time she was speaking these words, "teach the reader, not the book," you could sense that a true instructional shift was happening.

Now, here's the thing. I've done all sorts of reading, reflection, discussion, professional development, etc. this summer. What I really need are some students to try this on. I guess I'm ready for fall! : )

A starting point

I am not certain what these younger generation principals are doing to me, but the one who just moved on and my new principal are sure that blogging is a process I need to embrace with my changing role in the Rice Lake Area School District. After 19 years of teaching 9th-12th grade Language Arts, I will be going to part time teaching and adding the role of part time High School Literacy Coach. Is this really what I want to do for the start of year 20? hmmmmmm........

I am not a particularly strong writer, in general. I am not sure exactly the direction this blog will head. Heck, I'm not really even a reader of blogs and such (I don't even have a smart phone). However, like I said earlier, I have been encouraged, I have a few extra minutes here and there in August, and what do I have to lose?

I am one who feels the need to provide background, so I guess my first few posts will try and fill-in some of that information. Then, like I heard so often in grad school, I'll "trust the process" moving forward.

Like I said before, as of May, I became one of our district's two new high school literacy coach positions. The most daunting part is that these are newly created positions, so there is really no road map to follow. We're really "jumping in" already with leading our school's literacy team and planning some professional development for staff groups this month. Considering training at Lesley University doesn't even begin until August 20th, it's been a little overwhelming, but the other coach and I are veterans in the district, strong in our reading/knowledge base, and probably have something worthwhile to offer the district. Hopefully...