Simple Starts
My friends and writing “cousins” Kari Yates, Dani Burtsfield, and Erica Pecorale are starting a fabulous new Twitter chat tonight centered around Kari’s book, Simple Starts. The book study/chat #simplestarts will begin at 8:30 EST. Join us! Simple Starts revolves around starting (or continuing) a fabulous reading workshop in your classroom.
“Start small, but start” is the first rule. Kari challenges teachers to have courage when moving towards a more child-centered classroom. She states in her recent blog post, “You want your kids to be happily engaged in authentic reading, writing, and conversation…but shifting to a more child-centered literacy environment can be challenging.”
My favorite part of a readers’ classroom is reading aloud. The best thing I can do as a teacher of reading is to read to my students. Reading is learning. Reading is understanding the world better. Reading is fun! Kari says, “It’s an advertisement for becoming a real reader.” Simply start with reading aloud: a poem, a chapter of your favorite text, or a picture book. It’s Simply Wonderful!
Are you ready to chat? Join Us. See you tonight — 8:30 EST — #simplestarts
Reading Teacher Writes 
January 26, 2016 at 9:39 AM
I love the idea, “start small, but start.” I think too often we get caught in the big picture and forget to begin slowly and small which will lead to bigger things. Great reminder!
January 26, 2016 at 12:38 PM
Jennifer, this is so terrific! You continually inspire me, Voxer cousin. Love this post! See you at the chat 🙂
January 26, 2016 at 1:40 PM
It it unfortunate that as students progress through the grades some teachers feel that they (teachers) just don’t have the time to read to their students. My six graders loved when I read to them. Start small!
January 26, 2016 at 1:48 PM
I like the idea of Child centered reading and learning. I’m hoping the schools get away from test taking and focus more on how a child learns. Then they can match the best teaching methods with the child. 🙂
January 26, 2016 at 4:07 PM
Love the advice to “start small, but start.” It could be good advice for lots of areas in my life. It takes courage to change and acknowledging the challenges can be the first step.
January 26, 2016 at 4:55 PM
I will try to be there – it sounds like a great chat!
January 26, 2016 at 7:32 PM
Thanks for sharing this information. And…a new book to check into. I hope the chat will be archived because I’m not sure I’ll be there, but want to read more about it.
January 26, 2016 at 8:34 PM
Sounds like a great chat to help many talk about ‘starting small’ & starting.