I wrote this poem about being an outsider in China in an effort to build empathy for what I have never experienced: being a new immigrant in the United States. I wrote it primarily for monolingual English speakers in my country who ask about immigrants, “Why do they stay together and speak their language?” “Why don’t they learn English?”
“There is no more powerful way of improving on the job than by observing others and having others observe us.” —Roland Barth (2006) The challenge is opening doors. Use these seven strategies for building trust and buy-in to begin deep professional learning.
Collaboration can be shallow or deep, a way to maintain business as usual, or a driver for collective change. Make professional learning powerful by moving from talk to action. It begins by opening doors.
It’s easy to forget the dynamic of risk-taking in the world of K-12 education, where success is mapped in a staircase of standards and academic achievement is key to opening doors. This video poem and reflective blog dare educators to stretch the boundaries of what is possible, and inspire students to do the same.
When I was eight, I remember staring out the car window and thinking about disconnect between my world and the world of my Spanish-speaking neighbors who lived only a freeway exit away. No one in my family spoke Spanish, but I wanted to. In California, Spanish is the song of street signs and city names. It’s the voice of a history I wanted to hear, and neighbors I wanted to understand.
As an adult, I wrote this poem in my second language, Spanish, to reach out in a new way. An English translation follows.
Engaging students in writing for a real audience and purpose is motivating, AND it enhances the QUALITY of student writing. Busy educators want easy ways to make it happen.
Here are four powerful ways to engage students in writing to CCSS expectations for a real audience and purpose.
Writing takes courage, especially in the classroom. Learn 7 tips for inspiring reluctant writers to craft effectively written prose.
Welcome teachers, administrators, and everyone invested in the future of public education.
This blog is about learning: student learning, teacher learning, and my own learning as a language and literacy consultant leading change in K-8 schools.
