July+13,+2011

Record for July 13, 2011 SJVWP ISI 2011

Once upon a time, there was a group of teachers who wanted to learn new strategies for teaching writing. The group found the SJVWP ISI to join. They studied and learned and shared. AND THEN, it was Becky Bowers’ turn to teach a demonstration lesson. Becky could have said, “Not I,” but instead she used her level 3 voice to share the mysteries within. “Classity Class,” she said softly, echoing Kim N.’s exclamation from the previous day’s lesson. “Yessity yes,” the class replied in unison. “If a 13 year old kid can do write a story, you can,” Becky challenged the group. “You’ve laid down the gauntlet,” Kristie muttered uncomfortably. However, Kristie DIDN’T say, “Not I,” and she started to plan her story. The group examined pictures drawn by Harris Burdick and considered the captions he provided. They brainstormed about setting and character and even started a draft. Although Alex Treadway’s story was pretty amazing, the SJVWP Fellows’ imagination created some good beginnings for short stories, beginnings that set the scene and introduced character. The Fellows reflected on all the ways that they could support and develop their students’ writing using Becky’s strategies as a model. AND THEN, it was Jessica Galvan’s turn to share how she teaches her students to write the __real__ story of the little red hen. Jessica expressively read one version of the story aloud, as the Fellows eagerly examined the pictures and thought about the plot. “Classity Class,” Jessica repeated. “Yessity yes,” the Fellows responded. “Here’s a new version of the story. Use a Venn Diagram to chart out the similarities and differences between the two.” No one said “Not I” as the Fellows went to work reading, analyzing, charting, and eventually sharing what they noticed. “The little red hen shares the bread with her peeps,” Rindi cracked, to the Fellows’ amusement. AND THEN, the Fellows wrote their own “Book of the Little Red Hen.” The Fellows especially enjoyed watching the first graders at Jackson Elementary rap during their performance of the Little Red Hen. AND THEN, after lunch, the Fellows read, met in Writing Groups, and listened to Jessica, Ayanna, Lupita, and Julie read their insightful writing from the Author’s Chair. “Classity Class,” Kathee said at the end of the day. “Yessity yes,” the Fellows cried. “We’re going to mug Katie for lifting the energy of every table that she works with—and for her enthusiastic interpretation of transformations in the Little Red Hen,” Kathee said. The group didn’t groan “Not I,” instead they clapped to recognize of one of their own. **So it’s true, they thought, it’s really true.** The SJVWP Summer Institute is a place where teachers collaborate and no one says, “Not I”--because they all actually want to help each other. AND THEN, the day was done. . . but the collaboration continued.