Reading with the Principal at Horace Mann

During the summer of 2018, I was VERY fortunate to attend a week of professional development sessions focused on our district's Reading Workshop.  I learned so much from the knowledgeable and enthusiastic presenters at the training.  Because I attended with Emerson Principal Denice Leddy, I had lots of great opportunities to learn from her, too.  

We attended all kinds of sessions, some of the geared specifically toward building administrators who wanted to understand our role in the work.  How do we support teachers?  Students?  Parents?  The goals of Workshop are lofty, and we know our best collaborative effort is needed!

In particular, I wondered how I could encourage students while becoming familiar with the detailed work kids need to do in the different text levels.  Mrs. Leddy had a great suggestion - Why not read with individual students, doing an informal mini-conference to praise their effort and skill?

Well, a mission for me was born!  I had comment cards printed and set out a schedule for the year.  If I was going to read with almost 300 kids, I would need a plan...

Fast forward to the present, halfway through the year.  I'm thrilled to report that I've read with half of our student body (I started with 5th grade and am working my way to Kindergarten, giving them time to build their reading skills).  My time doing this with kids has been all I hoped and more - the "more" is that it is SO MUCH FUN!

I encourage kids to show their compliment cards to their teachers and parents, so I hope many of you have seen them.  I welcome any feedback and also ideas about a possible mission for 2019-20 🙂

I'll be starting the primary grades in February (2nd, then 1st then K), so keep an eye out for your child's card!  I hope you are enjoying reading with them at home as much as I am at school.  If we can provide any support to make it more fun, please let us know.