The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast | ELA 347: 🤍 Gratitude Week: Revisiting Penny Kittle's Quiet Revolution
Join Penny Kittle, a dedicated teacher and literacy coach, as she dives into transformative reading practices that prioritize student engagement. They discuss the courage needed to challenge outdated educational methods and the importance of connecting students with relevant texts. Penny emphasizes the power of writer's notebooks in fostering creativity and confidence, while also sharing essential book recommendations that inspire young readers. With insights on community impact, this conversation is a heartfelt look at the role of choice in literacy.
52:16
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Intro
00:00 • 4min
Transformative Reading Practices in Education
04:25 • 21min
Finding Voice Through Narrative
25:05 • 14min
Influential Voices in Education: A Tribute to Paperback Mentors
39:20 • 3min
Essential Book Recommendations for Inspiring Young Readers
42:19 • 5min
Global Connections and Community Impact
47:32 • 4min
In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom
Yeonmi Park
Maryanne Vollers
In this memoir, Yeonmi Park recounts her life growing up under the oppressive regime of North Korea, where she faced severe deprivation and indoctrination. She describes her escape to China with her mother, where they were betrayed and sold into sexual slavery. Despite the immense hardships, Park's story is one of resilience and hope as she eventually makes her way to South Korea and becomes a prominent human rights activist. The book sheds light on the harsh realities of life in North Korea, the challenges faced by defectors, and the importance of education and freedom[1][4][5].
180 Days
Two Teachers and the Quest to Engage and Empower Adolescents
Kelly Gallagher
Penny Kittle
This book represents the collaboration of Kelly Gallagher and Penny Kittle over an entire school year, focusing on planning, teaching, and reflecting within their classrooms in California and New Hampshire. Inspired by the question 'How do you fit it all in?', they identified and prioritized daily, essential, belief-based practices. The authors share insights on managing time, tasks, and teaching strategies for engaging students in both whole class and independent work. The book includes video clips of their teaching and emphasizes the importance of decision-making in the moment and the ongoing study of adolescents to inform teaching practices.
Minds Made for Stories
Minds Made for Stories
How We Make Meaning Through Narrative
Tom Newkirk
Tom Newkirk's "Minds Made for Stories" explores the fundamental role of narrative in human cognition and learning. Newkirk argues that narrative isn't just a genre of writing, but a fundamental way we make sense of the world. He demonstrates how narrative structures underpin our understanding of information and argumentation. The book challenges traditional categorizations of writing, suggesting that narrative is inherent in all forms of expression. Newkirk's insights offer valuable implications for educators seeking to foster deeper understanding and engagement in students. Ultimately, the book advocates for a more holistic approach to writing instruction that recognizes the power of narrative to shape thought and understanding.
The Great Believers
Rebecca Makkai
The Great Believers follows two intertwining storylines. The first is set in 1980s and '90s Chicago, where Yale Tishman, an art gallery acquisitions manager, navigates the devastating effects of the AIDS epidemic on his community. The second storyline takes place in Paris in 2015, where Fiona Marcus, a secondary character from the first storyline, searches for her estranged daughter and grapples with the long-term consequences of the epidemic on her life. The novel explores themes of loss, betrayal, friendship, and survival, and it is known for its detailed portrayal of the emotional and social impacts of the AIDS crisis[2][4][5].
Red, White & Whole
Red, White & Whole
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Rajani LaRocca
Lessons from a Child
Lessons from a Child
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Nancy Atwell
Me, Moth
Me, Moth
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Amber McBride
Right Beside Them
Right Beside Them
Fostering Collaboration and Mentorship in the Classroom
Penny Kittle
Right Beside Them, by Penny Kittle, delves into the power of collaboration and mentorship in education. It explores the importance of building strong relationships between teachers and students, fostering a sense of community and shared learning. The book emphasizes the role of teachers as mentors, guiding students towards independence and self-discovery in their learning journey. It provides practical strategies for creating a supportive and collaborative classroom environment, where students feel empowered to take ownership of their learning. The book's focus on mentorship and collaboration offers valuable insights for educators seeking to create a more supportive and engaging learning experience for their students.
Learning by Teaching
Learning by Teaching
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Donald Murray
What About Will
What About Will
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Will Leitch
Children Want to Write
Children Want to Write
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Dawn Graves
Penny Kittle
Book Love: Developing Depth, Stamina, and Passion in Adolescent Readers
Penny Kittle
In 'Book Love', Penny Kittle addresses the issue of student apathy towards reading by offering practical strategies to create a pathway to satisfying and challenging reading. The book emphasizes the importance of giving students books that match their interests, providing time for independent reading, and engaging in regular responses to their thoughts. Kittle shares her classroom experiences and research to help teachers build a community of readers, increase reading stamina, and foster a deep passion for reading among adolescents.
A Wish in the Dark
Christina Soontornvat
In 'A Wish in the Dark', Christina Soontornvat crafts a compelling fantasy inspired by Victor Hugo’s 'Les Misérables'. The story is set in the city of Chattana, where all light is created by the Governor, who rules with an iron fist. Pong, born in Namwon Prison, dreams of freedom represented by the magical lights. After escaping, he realizes the world outside is just as unfair. Nok, the prison warden’s daughter, is determined to capture Pong to restore her family’s honor. As Nok hunts Pong, she uncovers secrets that challenge her beliefs about justice and inequality. The book delves into themes of social justice, poverty, and the struggle for freedom in a vivid and magical world.
Writing with passion
Life Stories, Multiple Genres
Tom Romano
In 'Writing with Passion', Tom Romano emphasizes the importance of authenticity in writing, urging writers to express their true selves without adhering to specific styles. The book is both visionary and practical, offering concrete ideas for teaching and writing, such as alternate style maneuvers, multigenre research papers, and genre exploration. Romano shares personal stories, including those of his students and his own experiences, and introduces the concept of the multigenre research paper, which integrates creativity and imagination into research. The book is filled with examples of student writing and various genres, making it a valuable resource for educators and writers alike.
This week I’m thinking about how grateful I am for this incredible community - all the creative educators around the world who have tuned into an episode, shared an idea with a colleague, joined me in conversation as a guest, written a review, or sent in a question. Thank you!
Today we’re going to kick off a special five day series revisiting top interviews from the last decade of The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast.
We’ll hear from Penny Kittle, Dr. Sarah Fine, Dr. Claudia Rodriguez-Mojica and Dr. Allison Briceño, Dave Stuart Jr., and Angela Stockman. We’ll explore the power of choice reading, discuss what creates situations of deeper learning, dive into strategies to combat student apathy, and find out how to get started with the writing makerspace.
We’re starting with a look back at my interview with Penny Kittle for a show originally titled “A Quiet Revolution in Reading and Writing.”
Find the Original Show Notes Here: https://nowsparkcreativity.com/2022/04/150-a-quiet-revolution-in-reading-and-writing-with-penny-kittle.html
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