The Big Fresh from Choice Literacy July 2, 2011 Not a Beautiful Sound


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The Big Fresh from Choice Literacy
July 2, 2011
Not a Beautiful Sound

The world is so dreadfully managed, one hardly knows to whom to complain.

Ronald Firbank

Researchers at the State University of New York in New Paltz recently studied adult reactions to different sounds, trying to determine which one was most irritating. They discovered whining was at the top of the list.

I've thought about this finding almost every time I've been tempted to whine recently. I remind myself that no matter what I think I'm saying, what the other person is hearing is a sound worse than. . .

. . .a buzz saw on a beautiful summer day;
. . .a baby screaming next to me on a transcontinental flight; or
. . .nails screeching down an old blackboard.

There will always be plenty to whine about, and I'm not minimizing the difficult situations schools and educators are in right now. Certainly the world needs more teachers to manage it! But I've been surprised how pausing and imagining that buzz saw has made me hold my tongue (and consciously change my attitude) at least a few times a day.

This week we've posted additional early year read aloud suggestions, as well as a link to a heartwarming story of read alouds between a father and daughter over nine years. Plus more as always - enjoy!

Brenda Power
Editor, Choice Literacy

Free for All

From the Choice Literacy Archives, here are some favorite books to read aloud during the first days of school from our newsletter subscribers. The emphasis is on using read alouds as a springboard to literacy learning routines:

http://www.choiceliteracy.com/public/1219.cfm

In a new podcast, popular children's book author James Preller talks about his series Jigsaw Jones and being an advocate for kids:

http://www.choiceliteracy.com/public/1546.cfm

If you're in the mood for a heartwarming story, you'll enjoy "the reading streak" - a father/daughter commitment to read aloud together every day that lasted more than nine years:

http://n.pr/iB0aEc

If you're making the transition from teacher to administrator or know anyone in that situation, here's a fun and thought-provoking list of 10 First-Year Goals for Administrators:

http://bit.ly/kCOAAy

Join us for Choice Literacy Workshops in Wrentham, Massachusetts (just outside Boston) on July 19 - 21, for presentations on literacy coaching, integrating assessment with instruction, word work, minilesson design, and writing workshops. Presenters include Jennifer Allen, Heather Rader, Franki Sibberson, Clare Landrigan and Tammy Mulligan. Participants will leave with a wealth of new ideas, materials, and a DVD of examples from classrooms. Click on the link below for a full description and registration information:

http://bit.ly/kIrpol

For Members Only

Our newest cluster tackles the question of what's essential in literacy coach work, with contributions from Shari Frost, Jennifer Jones, and Heather Rader:

http://www.choiceliteracy.com/members/1551.cfm

In Fireflies: Then and Now, Andrea Smith watches her young daughter capture fireflies in the twilight of a summer night. The evening reminds her of what's changed in connecting literacy and life experiences, and what endures for teachers and kids:

http://www.choiceliteracy.com/members/1553.cfm

Is there a dialogue doctor in the house? If your students' writing is filled with dull exchanges, you'll enjoy these lesson suggestions from Heather Rader in Writing Triage:

http://www.choiceliteracy.com/members/1552.cfm

We're focusing on upgrading our design videos over the next month, since many members are rethinking materials organization. What better place to begin than with the teacher's desk?

Joan Moser and Gail Boushey ("The Sisters") help new teacher Carrie reorganize her cluttered desk area:

http://www.choiceliteracy.com/members/1554.cfm

Gail also shares how she was able to downsize from a full room to shared space in her work as a literacy coach through careful organization:

http://www.choiceliteracy.com/members/1555.cfm

That's all for this week!