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 They discuss the courage needed to challenge outdated educational methods and the importance of connecting students with relevant texts.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.
The podcast expresses heartfelt gratitude for the global community of creative educators contributing to the discussion, emphasizing collaboration and support in the teaching profession.
Penny Kittle's insights on choice reading and the use of writer's notebooks highlight essential strategies for reigniting student engagement and creativity in literacy education.
Deep dives
The Importance of Gratefulness in Education
The podcast emphasizes the significance of expressing gratitude within the educational community. It highlights the contributions of creative educators worldwide who engage with the content, share ideas, and participate in discussions. This gratitude is particularly poignant during the Thanksgiving season, capturing the essence of community and support among teachers and learners. The speaker recognizes the collaborative effort in fostering creativity and innovation in the classroom, making it clear that such an environment is nourished by mutual respect and appreciation.
Revisiting Key Interviews and Themes
The episode introduces a retrospective series where the speaker revisits influential interviews conducted over the past decade. Notable guests like Penny Kittle and Dr. Sarah Fine contribute valuable insights into various topics in education. The discussions cover themes such as choice reading, deeper learning experiences, and strategies to combat student apathy. By revisiting these conversations, the episode aims to reinvigorate teachers' approaches to literacy and creativity, highlighting the relevance and application of these concepts in today’s classrooms.
Empowering Students Through Choice Reading
Penny Kittle’s interview draws attention to the transformative power of choice reading in students' lives. She asserts that many students have not engaged with books for so long that they forget the joy and insight literature can provide. To re-engage disaffected readers, Kittle emphasizes the importance of providing them with meaningful choices tailored to their interests. By creating opportunities for independent reading and daily book talks, teachers can foster a love for reading that inspires students to seek out new books and narratives.
Fostering a Creative Writing Environment
The conversation also addresses the vital role of creativity in writing instruction, advocating for the use of writer's notebooks. Kittle encourages students to freely express their thoughts and emotions without the constraints of rigid structures or rubrics. This organic approach enables students to explore their voice and develop their ideas through genuine writing experiences. Sharing their work with peers further builds confidence and community, allowing students to recognize the power of storytelling and its importance in both academic writing and personal expression.
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.”
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