I spent the day away from school on Friday, in Poulsbo with the Reading Team. While the focus was on writing, specifically writing poetry, the day included much more than that. I've participated, off and on, with the Reading Team for a while, and usually end up seeing people I've "known" for some time. I've been on the team for...........well, I can't remember, but when I first started participating the team met at the ESD and Libby wasn't retired. I don't always go, because we trade off participating among interested teachers, usually Debbie or me. We started off with introductions, and the group has grown from mostly primary teachers to include even middle and high school teachers - unheard of at the start of the team. Today, though, I stuck with the elementary teachers, mostly because I'm teaching 4th grade math.
Back to poetry - what does that have to do with math? I'm interested in having my math kids look at math instruction as more than just numbers, so I already have some plans to include writing into my math instruction. I think we'll write an autobio poem about quadrangles, although the house poem is an interesting idea, too. My challenge will be to make sure that the regular instruction takes place, as well as introducing the concepts and working through the book the way I have to.
The thing about participating in the Reading Team is that while it takes time away from school, which means I spend a bit of time agonizing over lesson plans, and I have to drive an hour plus to get to the meeting, it's worth it. It's professional developement at the very basic level - with the teachers who practice what they preach, who seek answers to the questions they have in order to provide the best instruction they can offer to the students who are in their care for 180 days a year.
