Four practical priorities for this summer.
Category: coaching
Back to Basics: Writing Centers
As you head into this week, remember to keep your head up and check on the basics. In this post I share five things you might look for and notice about writing centers.
A Peek Into My Evolving Chartbook
Over the years, my chartbook has evolved. Here are some of the latest pages.
Literacy Coaches: The Art of Voicing-Over
Are you an instructional coach? As part of your work, do you demonstrate minilessons, conferring, or small group work in classrooms? If yes, then this post is for YOU!
Literacy Coaches: Conferring with Teachers and Co-Teaching in Writing Workshop
As a literacy coach, my preference is to visit on any given regular day to be a part of what is authentically happening, and to have genuine, in-the-moment conversations in the classroom. At the same time, it is helpful to have some structure around how a given classroom visit might go--so that people know what to expect. Conferring with teachers and co-teaching makes this possible.
Literacy Coaches: Three Ideas for Next Year’s Goals
Are you a literacy coach? Here are three ideas to try next year.
Ten Tips for Coaching into Writing Partnerships
Do you ever have the feeling that every time you come near a partnership, they stop what they were really doing? Here are ten tips for coaching into partnerships, without taking over.
Teaching Side-By-Side: Coaching and Classroom Visits
This month, interspersed with the Slice of Life Story Challenge, my colleagues and I are writing about professional development possibilities. Many of our readers are literacy coaches, team leaders, administrators, professors, and classroom teachers who support each other in their professional growth and learning. These professional development posts will be helpful for anybody who wants to… Continue reading Teaching Side-By-Side: Coaching and Classroom Visits
Coaching Conferences in the Writing Workshop
It’s January, at the top of a mountain in Vermont. Ten six and seven year olds are lined up on the side of a ski trail. Their skis all pointing toward me, ready for me to guide them down the mountain. “All right everyone, HOT CHOCOLATE!” I shout. Kristin, the tiniest one, in the front… Continue reading Coaching Conferences in the Writing Workshop
Who coaches the coach?
Who coaches the coach? This question was posed at the Choice Literacy Coaching the Common Core workshop. It's one that is sticking with Deb and me. Instructional coaches (and I think this is a little true for teacher leaders too) live in a land between. We aren't administrators and we aren't teachers. We live between… Continue reading Who coaches the coach?
Choice Literacy: Coaching the Common Core {Part 2 of 3}
The second portion of the Choice Literacy workshop, Coaching the Common Core was led by Heather Rader. Heather is the author of Side By Side: Short Takes on Best Practice for Teachers and Literacy Leaders. She is the senior editor for Choice Literacy and an instructional coach I hope you know Heather's work. She is… Continue reading Choice Literacy: Coaching the Common Core {Part 2 of 3}
Choice Literacy: Coaching the Common Core {Part 1 of 3}
Recently Deb Gaby and I attended a Choice Literacy Workshop called Coaching the Common Core. It was one of the best conferences I've ever attended (and I've attended a lot of really great conferences!). The workshop was divided into three parts. Jennifer Allen, Heather Rader, and Clare Landrigan and Tammy Mulligan led the three portions.… Continue reading Choice Literacy: Coaching the Common Core {Part 1 of 3}