Raising Readers and Writers

If you want to feel secure, do what you already know how to do. If you want to be a true professional & continue to grow…go to the cutting edge of your competence, which means a temporary loss of security. So whenever you don’t quite know what you’re doing, know that you are growing. -Madeline Hunter

I received a copy of this quote right before I moved to first grade three years ago. I kept it posted where I could see it every day. It reminded me that the discomfort I felt was a sign that I was growing as a professional. It would all work out in the end! I still have it posted right behind my table, even though I don’t walk into school each day terrified that I’m going to ruin some six year-old’s chance of ever learning how to read and write. (I guess I was a little “over the edge” back then!)

After school today, I met with another teacher for coffee. I’ve been wanting to talk to her about her reading workshop for a long time. Cathy wrote More Than Guided Reading, which helped me make the transition to first grade. I knew that she would help me think through my dilemma.

Even though lots of things are going well in reading workshop, I still feel like I’m missing the boat. I am meeting with 5 guided reading groups (one group consists of one child, so that lesson goes pretty quickly) each day, and 3 others a couple of times a week all in an hour and 15 minutes. (I know, it’s crazy!). I don’t have time to conference individually with students and it feels like a revolving reading door. One group finishes, another one comes up, that one finishes, another one comes up…with no time to breathe in between.

As Cathy shared her reading workshop block, I felt a sense of relief. Each week she groups her kids based on their needs as readers (not necessarily their reading levels) and doesn’t meet with more than 2 groups a day. The rest of the time is spent in individual conferences with goals in mind for each student. This is what I was looking for!

I left the coffee shop feeling energized, and a little uncertain. My mind went back to Madeline Hunter’s quote. I’m stretching myself again as I try to better meet my students’ needs. Cathy reminded me of the importance of thinking about my goals for my students as readers and writers (same goes for mathematicians too!) and to not get so hung up on reading levels. Yes, it is the district’s expectation that our students be at a certain level by the end of the school year, but my goals are much bigger. I want my students to enjoy reading and I want them understand and use the strategies I’m teaching them every day in their reading lives.

Once again, I’m reminded of the importance of surrounding myself with people who listen and help me broaden my perspective. I’m really excited to try Cathy’s ideas next week. I’ve been thinking about the changes I’ll make and I’m looking forward to having time to meet individually with my kids. Do I feel a little uncertain about how it will all pan out? You bet I do, but hey, I’m growing, right?