©Angela Stockman, 2009 The Dispositions of Practice ©Communities for Learning: Leading Lasting Change®

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sally_12/339912423/

COACHING CONNECTION

Angela Stockman, WNY Education Associateshttp://www.angelastockman.com stockmanangela@gmail.com

JANUARY 2010 VOL 1 ISSUE 2

Gratitude

I tend to be a home body. My husband, mydaughters, and my friends are my world, and whilemost people crave the open highway and love theidea of being on the road, I typically don’t. I missmy family and my friends far too much when I’maway.This fall, I found myself traveling quite a bit, andevery time I left the area, I realized how grateful Iwas for the comforts of home—my own bed,home-cooked meals, and the nighttime chatter that drifts down the stairs from my daughters’bedroom above. I found myself thinking of many of you often as well.In November, I attended the New York State PTAConference and the New York State EnglishCouncil Conference. I met some incredible people,gained access to resources that can help all of usin our work together, and attended workshops andlectures that have taught me a great deal. At leastfifteen times a day, I caught myself wishing thatone or more of you were with me in these settings,though. The fact is, I’m learning these things sothat I can help all of you more. I also know thatmany of you have incredible expertise andexperience to share.The teachers, administrators, and students that Iserve truly sustain my energy and the enthusiasmthat I have for the work that I do, and I want tothank you for this. Thank you for asking greatquestions, provoking important debate, andworking as hard as you do to help your studentslearn and grow. I’m a parent too, and beyond theinfluence that my husband and I have on our kids,I know that it is what teachers do that mattersmost to them. Your influence is substantial, andyour talents are humbling. I’m grateful to beworking with all of you. Happy New Year!

-Angela

In This Month’s Issue

In Focus:

Making a Commitment to Understanding

Instructional Strategies:

The Power of Multiple Models

Books and Authors:

Funny in Farsi

and

Laughing Without an Accent

by Firoozeh Dumas

Get Connected:

WNYLIT:A Regional Forum for Current and PotentialLiteracy Coaches

Connecting Kids:

The Global Poetry Project

Cyber Spotlight:

Kevin Jarrett and Welcome to NCS-Tech!

©Angela Stockman, 2009 The Dispositions of Practice ©Communities for Learning: Leading Lasting Change®

Seeking Understanding

Often, students are so eager to begin creatingproducts that they do not take the time to studywhat they need to in order to producemeaningful work. This is why teachers invest somuch time in modeling and why those whohave expertise often recommend the use of mentor text within the classroom. Often, thisisn’t enough to help students reach their creative potential though. How can teachershelp facilitate this within their classrooms?

•

By making space for students toCONSUME the types of texts andENGAGE with the types of productsthey are asking them to design

•

By expecting students to study thosetexts and products in order to determinewhat distinguishes their quality

•

By working with students to designrubrics that can be used as instructionaltools and not merely gradinginstruments

•

By grounding learning in inquiry

•

By assessing how students movethrough learning processes and practicecritical skills and intervening in responseto the needs that are identified

•

By modeling learning as a processrather than placing greater value onfinal products

•

By providing feedback to students abouttheir learning process along the way

•

By expecting students to struggle, makemistakes, and look to one another for support

•

By modeling this Disposition ourselves

PROFESSIONAL RESOURCESAVAILABLE FOR LENDING

I know that many of you have begun your owninquiry work this year relevant to a variety of practices. There are a number of new books onmy shelf that I’m happy to lend, should you beinterested in borrowing them. Just let meknow, and when I am in your buildings, I candrop them off to you.

Changing the Way You Teach, Improvingthe Way Students Learn

by Giselle Martin- Kniep and Joanne Picone-Zocchia

The Continuum of Literacy Learning: AGuide to Teaching

by Irene Fountas and GaySu Pinnell

Writing Circles

by Jim VopatAndrew Toney chats with Cheektowaga HighSchool teacher John Kaczorowski about theimportance of using our experiences to shape our work.

Making a Commitment toUnderstanding

When we encourage students to attend to thisDisposition, we ask that they slow down longenough to research, study, and collaboratearound what they need to know beforebeginning their work. Those who make thiscommitment use evidence to inform their decisions and their work, rather thanassumption. They also work hard to listen andlearn before leaping into action.

Mentor Text Picks of the Month:

Funny in Farsi and Laughing Without an Accent by Firoozeh Dumas

Fans of Sandra Cisneros’s

The House onMango Street

will enjoy these collections of short vignettes by Iranian-American author,Firoozeh Dumas. Born in Abadan, Dumasmoved to California with her family at the ageof seven.

Funny in Farsi

and

Laughing Without an Accent

are compilations of humorous stories that Dumas wrote for her children, mostly in the hours before they wokeeach morning.I had the good fortune to hear Firoozeh Dumasspeak at the annual New York State EnglishCouncil Conference in Albany last month. Shewas witty and warm and completely hilarious. If you would like to borrow either of these texts touse in your classroom, please let me know. Irecently ordered additional copies of bothbooks, and I am happy to lend them to thosewho are interested. I can also share theteacher guides from Random House as well asthis link to a lengthy interview with FiroozehDumas. It is divided into segments, making for easier classroom viewing:

http://tinyurl.com/yfv7lkl

You can also visit her website:

http://firoozehdumas.com/

CYBER SPOTLIGHT:

Kevin Jarrett

is a K-4Computer Teacher andTechnology Facilitator at Northfield Community Schoolin New Jersey. He sharesresources, lesson plans, andmore on his blog,

Welcome to CS-Tech

! It is a favorite of mine. Daily updates and links tofantastic web 2.0 tools!http://www.ncs-tech.org/

I’ve recently purchase several copies of FiroozehDumas’s books, and they will be available for loan toteachers that I work with during winter coaching days!Let me know if you would like to borrow!