Wednesday, February 6, 2019

February is Black History Month!

Learn more about the contributions and history of African Americans.  Reading Rockets web site has video interviews with children’s book authors and illustrators, themed book lists, activities for the classroom, community, and home as well as web sites that are kid friendly.  Check out Scholastic’s 28 Ways to Celebrate Black History & www.africanamericanhistorymonth.gov Got more resources?  Post them!

We've blogged about many literacy professional books over the years. Currently we're posting about Angela Watson podcasts. Check out hundreds of powerful podcasts you may listen to on the way or home from school: https://thecornerstoneforteachers.com. It's free, inspirational advice!

Please join us in sharing your passion for teaching literacy!

Lynn Gurnee,
Past California Reading Association President
Current President of the Contra Costa Reading Association

Monday, February 19, 2018

SAVE THE DATE

ff Savage and more...2019 Annual Conference

SAVE THE DATE!

OCTOBER 18 - 19, 2019
"READING IN WONDERLAND - Rekindling the Wonder of Books!"
being held at the McClellan Conference Center - just minutes away from the Sacramento International Airport and the Sacramento downtown area


Unwrap the Wonder of Read Aloud with Keynote Speaker: Lester Laminack

Featured Speakers: Sharon Zinke, Judy Lynch, Don Vu, Rosemary Rankin, Adria Klein, Kathy Perez ...plus more presenters

Mad Hatter's Tea - Friday evening, Oct. 18 - Come have tea and visit with Authors:  Marissa Moss, Dev Petty, Mitali Perkins, Erin Dealey, Patricia Newman, Meg O' Hair, Doreen Spicer-Donelly, Jeff Savage and more...

Please see www.californiareading.org for more information!

Thursday, January 12, 2017

Angela Watson Free Podcast

Happy New Year California Reading Association Friends!

Did you see Donalyn Miller in Visalia this past November at CRA's PDI?  Post a take away or two if you did.  If not, you really missed an inspiring keynote session!!

My favorite “take aways” were Donalyn's video vignettes.  There were 6th graders who changed from non-readers to confident readers.  There were those whose stamina had grown from fake reading to reading for 30 minutes or more, groaning when they had to stop.  There were kids who originally hated reading that loved reading after just a few weeks in Donalyn's class.  No wonder Donalyn got a standing ovation from us at CRA's PDI!  We were in awe!!
Don't miss this fall's PDI.    Save the Date!  October 20-21, 2017 Pacific Palms Resort Keynote Speaker: Dynamic Danny Brassell
Now for this year's Book Club focus.  Angela Watson, a National Board Certified Teacher, started the Cornerstone website to share ideas and free resources on the practical aspects of running a classroomAngela published 4 books for teachers. The latest is Unshakeable: 20 Ways to Enjoy Teaching Every Day…No Matter What.  


In January 2015, Angela launched a weekly podcast to inspire teachers to get energized for the week ahead!  If you’re new to podcasts, they’re essentially a talk radio show.  At a quick 10 minutes per episode, Truth for Teachers is perfect for staring off your Monday morning commute with positivity and encouragement.  


Go to link https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/angela-watsons-truth-for-teachers/id954139712# to listen to or download any of these free podcasts to take with you wherever you go.  Need a semester unit for $70 to advance on the salary scale?  Listen to 3 different podcasts and make 3 comments.   Interested?  Email me for more information:  lynn@gurnee.org

Happy 2017!

Lynn Gurnee, Past CRA President

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child by Donalyn Miller

Happy Summer!  Please accept my apology for not posting sooner.  Donalyn will soon be speaking to us at the Nov. CRA PDI in Visalia and I can't wait.  Hope to see you there!

Let's get busy reading and blogging to prepare for PDI & our new school year!
Lynn Gurnee,
Past CRA President

Chapter 3:  “There’s a Time and a Place”
Donalyn tells her students reading is not an add-on but the cornerstone of her class time.  She says, “How can we not make time for reading?  Your thoughts?  Here’s some how-to tips:
  •      When you are interrupted by the phone or visitor dropping into class, train kids to get out independent reading books. Also at picture day & in library!  Set goals for library use for when you line up to go and when you get there to make best use of time.  Her kids try to steal time to read & suggested a Ziploc bag for reading during showering!  Ha! That’s a keeper for “kids say darnedest things, eh?”
  •       Students read when work’s finished- if they rush so they can read- great says Donalyn…what do you say?
  •        In her section on creating a place for reading – make it comfortable!  Wish I had Donalyn for a teacher growing up… what about you?
  •       In her section on quiet please except teacher who can be softly conferring.  Your thoughts?


Chapter 4:  Reading Freedom
What do you think about Pennac’s “10 Rights of the Reader?”  (2006)  The right to…  not read, skip pages, not finish, reread, read anything, escapism, read anywhere, browse, read out loud, and not defend your tastes.

Did you enjoy student Jon’s comment. “I think the requirements (40 books) are understandable because if we didn’t have a requirement. Then people like me would read one book for the whole year?” 

Student Rachel liked the variety of books required:  5 poetry, 5 lit., 5 realistic fiction, 2 historical fiction, 4 fantasy, 2 sci. fic., 2 mystery at the request of students, 4 informational, 2 biog, auto-biog., or memoir, and 9 chpt. Books of students’ choice and Alex learned he likes realistic fiction as he used to only read fantasy. And Molly, a picky reader, said she can’t force herself to read a wide variety and liked having the wide selection.  Did these kids convince you to think about these requirements?

Donalyn concentrates on supporting reading, not requirements by…
  •             validating choices:  Who cares if Captain Underpants is a favorite if it encourages reading more, would you agree? (favorites on p. 88 for gr. 4-6)
  •        introducing authors through read alouds
  •        building BG for genres
  •        conferring and meeting students where they are
  •        encouraging notes for genres in Readers’ Notebooks ( based on Fountas/ Pinnell Guiding Readers and Writers Gr. 3-6) with these sections:

Tally & Reading Lists, Books to read Lists, and Response Entries like a letter to author or a letter to a classmate or to teacher.  Are you familiar with Fountas/ Pinnell  book?

Chapter 5:  Walking the Walk
Oh man, wasn’t Parker’s comment priceless…”I feel bad about all those good books out there waiting for me to read them?”  Donalyn writes about the need for reading role models and how to lead the way with modeling and practice.  Her self-reflection activity on p. 111 helps…check it out!
  •      What were your childhood reading experiences?  Positive or negative?
  •       Do you see yourself as a reader now?  How do you share these with students?
  •       Who do you identify with?  (underground, dormant or developing readers)?
  •            Who has been your reading role models?
  •            List last 5 books you read and how long it took to read them?
  •       What was read for professional reasons and what for pleasure?

Did you find Donalyn’s plan helpful?  (Fake it ‘til you make it).
  •      Choose interesting books
  •            Read more children’s books
  •      Take recommendations from students
  •             Investigate recommendations from industry resources like Goodreads.com
  •       Reflect on what you’re reading & share
  •             Inspiring others happens when you’re inspired

Chapter 6:  Cutting the Teacher Strings
Donalyn talks about rethinking the class novel and teaching readers, not books.  Your thoughts on these ideas on how to do this?
  • Select a theme, concept or standard children are expected to know & gather wide range of text for book groups
  • Use short stories, excerpts or poems to teach literary elements or reading skills & ask students to apply their understanding to independent books
  • Teach test prep as a reading skill
  • Teach reading as a genre

    What do you think about Donalyn’s idea of ditching book reports & formal book talks for book commercials & reviews?  Simple to check off who shared on class roster & more fun for you & the kids, would you agree?
  •       Do you have anything to add to the book review criteria of quotes from book & reviewers, cliffhanger questions, personal reactions, awards author has won, age level, other books by the author, & comparisons with other books?
  •       Do you use reading logs?  Did you like Donalyn’s alternative to round robin practice of oral reading of giving students a preview & practice time, paired reading, and tapes?
  •       What do you think about Donalyn’s whisper about E-O-Y Evaluation survey asking if they met their genre requirements and to explain?  Is this sufficient accountability?


Chapter 7:  Letting Go
  • Kids mimic what Donalyn teaches them with each other when they browse for books, but then the following year they can’t enjoy this style of teaching and have to be underground readers.  What do you think about this?
  • Can we ask peers to teach students to adopt attitudes and behaviors of best readers? 
  • Can we mimic their connection with books as they sat in their parents lap?
  • Donalyn wonders if you agree to keep students reading, we have to let them do it? 

What did you find helpful in the appendixes?  Do you have more needs than these?
Appendix A  The Care and Feeding of a Classroom Library
Appendix B  Ultimate Library List
Appendix C  Student Forms







Wednesday, March 16, 2016

The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child by Donalyn Miller

Hi there!

Hard to believe that Easter is almost here.  Hope you have a nice spring break.  

BTW, you don't need to read Donalyn's book to blog.  Just share what works in your school or classroom.  Or comment on something that jumps out at you below.

It will be good to hear from you…
Lynn Gurnee,
CRA Past President

March Chapter 2:  “Everybody is a Reader”
  • Each chapter begins with a quote from one of Donalyn’s students.  Emily’s quote, I’ve learned that you can’t hate a book till you’ve tried it!  Bring it on.” is priceless.  Wouldn’t you love for one of your students to say that to you?  What are some things your students said that you want to capture in a journal?  Do share!
  • Donalyn said, “What I thought students needed (in my lesson plans) was not as important as how I responded to their expressed needs.”   Hmm. She realized this only after 3 years of teaching.  Does this surprise you?
  • Donalyn’s labels of 3 reading trends fascinated me… how about you?
1.        Her answer for Developing Readers (often referred to as struggling) is a heavy dose of independent reading with explicit instruction in relevant reading strategies. Her example of Kelsey who was given this “rescue recipe” transformed her to a reader!  What do you think? 
2.       Donalyn describes Dormant Readers (or unmotivated ones) who read to pass but don’t embrace reading and often escape notice like Hope who had fallen behind.  Her answer was to let Hope browse books often & have choice in what to read. What outcome can you predict?
3.        Underground Readers are those like Randy who secretly read his own books rather than those encouraged by teachers.  Donalyn embraces Cambourne’s Conditions of Learning as a way to help all of these above types of readers. Do these conditions ring a bell for you?  Do you have readers like Hope, Randy, and Kelsey?  What are you thinking now?
  •  Loved Donalyn's “whisper” about implementing “Student Surveys.”  Donalyn says her students’ needs call to her from the survey pages and she “whispers” back with books.  Do you share my excitement that Donalyn uses the survey information to stack appropriate books on desks for students to preview? 

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child by Donalyn Miller

Yes, our new book club starts today!  Why should you blog with us?
  • It's fun & easy to blog- click comment, type in box & hit publish…that's it!
  •  Easy way to get inspired- no need to read the book to join the fun
  • Donalyn Miller is a Keynote Speaker at CRA’s PDI in Visalia Nov. 4-5
  • You can EASILY earn 1 semester unit to advance on your salary scale (ONLY $60 & you only need to do 3 comments)
  • You may comment anytime night or day from Feb. 1- August  31!!
  • Donalyn currently teaches (and ALL her kids read 40+ books a year) 
  • Allington writes,  "Miller's book is powerful and practical… you understand how to overcome current classroom culture where some children learn and many learn to hate reading." 
  • You’ll be better equipped to convince your parents to join your crusade to teach kids how to LOVE reading as we lucky people do!
  • CRA member Shannon Spencer, and winner of our book drawing, blogged, “I LOVED Donalyn’s Reading in the Wild book and have transformed my classroom because of it!”
  • You’ll bask as you validate what you’re already doing, yet further transform your classroom- Please join us!
  • Blog and be inspired to make reading fun again (and still have 85% of your kids in the 90th percentile)!
We will be talking about a chapter each month until the end of August. 
  •  In her intro., Donalyn explains her “whispers” as activities to promote talk about reading between her and her students.  Ah ha, wondered how she came up with her title!  What grabbed you in the intro.?
  •  In this month’s chapter, “There and Back Again,” Donalyn reminisces about childhood memories of reading.  My Mom told me I used to read to my sister with the book upside down.  Ha! What’s your fondest memory of early reading experiences?  Would love to hear them!
  •  Donalyn shared her early teaching disasters and how she arrived at a reading workshop format.  It made me feel like I was chatting with an old friend reading her words. How are you liking the book so far?
  • Loved her section “Going Forward, Sort Of.”  So true, eh?   Do you share her experiences and/or her epiphany that “as long as I hold on to my love of books & show my students what it means to live as a reader, I’ll be closer to teaching paradise?” 
  • Don't forge to click publish below your typed comment.    
Thanks for joining us,
      Lynn Gurnee,  Past CRA President

Saturday, January 2, 2016

Win a copy of The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child by Donalyn Miller

Happy New Year!

Just got my copy of The Book Whisperer:  Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child by Donalyn Miller.  It's fabulous!!  There's a FREE copy for one lucky CRA blogger.  Hopefully, you'll join us for The Book Whisperer book club blog starting February 1!  And Donalyn will be a keynote speaker at the CRA PDI on Nov. 4-5 in Visalia!

Send a blog that you're interested in being in the drawing for this book by February 1.  On February 2, the book will be mailed to a lucky winner!  If you have trouble sending a blog, see below.  If you read it, tried it, and are still having trouble, give me a call.  I'll be happy to help you!  

It's going to be a fun online book club this year!  Donalyn currently teaches so it's no surprise Allington writes,  "Miller's book is powerful and practical…helping you to understand how to overcome current classroom culture where some children learn and many learn to hate reading." But wait!  That's not all.

You can EASILY earn one semester unit to advance you on your salary scale for ONLY $60.  Email you're interested and you'll get the paperwork ASAP.  You only need to do 3 blogs re: The Book Whisperer!  And you may do your 3 blogs for college credit anytime night or day from February 1 through August  31!!

Happy Reading and Blogging!
Lynn Gurnee, 
Past CRA President
510-449-1988
Professional Development Institute , November 4-5, 2016 
Visalia Convention Center
Keynote Speakers: Donalyn Miller and Regie Routman
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