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What happens when I have 1-on-1 conferences with my readers with the purpose of really getting to know them so I can offer book ideas and reading skill growth ideas? Can I sustain this kind of specific feedback now in the virtual environment and once back in a hybrid time?

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What happens when virtual, individual feedback is given on a year-long choice writing assignment? Can I sustain this during virtual learning? Is it okay to just do this with only my homeroom class to make sure it is sustainable? What kind of feedback will I give students and how? Is there a way to teach and encourage students to seek feedback regarding specific skills they want to work on?

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What happens when a librarian writes, encourages, shares poetry in a school community?

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What happens when a new librarian builds community with students, teachers, in a new virtual environment? How can I make meaningful connections virtually? How do I build a community of readers virtually?

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How can my Assistant Principal and I develop a virtual/hybrid book group that highlights the experiences of black and brown children?

How do we make sure that students of color will be comfortable in this book group?

How do we go beyond "celebrating diversity" in our book group? (Paul Gorski's talk)

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What happens when I build a sound wall instead of a word wall in my classroom (whether it's virtual or in an actual classroom)?

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Is there some virtual way your students can share an old school "all about me" poster - in a much cooler way - with images and things that they like - so they can get to know each other and you get to know them - perhaps they will find connections more than they think

your probably already do this but - as they are waiting for a conference - can you have a couple get to know you quick questions for them to think about before you actually meet

What is the rest of your team or other MS/HS teachers doing to get to know their own 95 students

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Do you know this book? I used it when I thought an independent writing project and it helped me so much. She makes sure once the kids choose a kind of writing to then have a mentor text and a writing checklist for that kind of writing. As I gave feedback, it helped me to say, How does it look in your mentor text? It was a way to give them more feedback! I can also share my blog posts when I taught this unit. It is a favorite!! You said, can I just do this with my homeroom....of course....keep it simple and manangeble this year!!

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First of all, I LOVE poetry. It is my favorite type of writing to do with kids, and I don't get to do it often, so I would love for you to incorporate some of this with our fifth graders! Also, a spoken word poet won America's Got Talent this year, so I feel like this is a great time to get buy in with the kids because poetry is cool!

Also, this book - Rhythm and Resistance - has awesome ways to incorporate poetry and social justice! I have adjusted many of the lessons to work in an elementary classroom.

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Rhythm and Resistance book. Read 5 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. Offering practical lessons about how to teach poetry to build ...

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Not sure if you have already heard of these - or were in the Equity Literacy session yesterday but these sources were mentioned -
instagram.com/hereweread,
teachingforchange.org

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Multicultural and Social Justice Books - Social Justice Books

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Curated BooklistsTeaching for Change has carefully selected the best multicultural and social justice books for children, YA, and educators on 50+ topics. Reviews of Children's LiteratureCritical reviews of children's books from a variety of sources, compiled by See What We See. Teaching for Change TitlesTeaching for Change titles including Beyond Heroes and Holidays and Putting the ...

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Ok to focus on your class or even 2 high, 2 middle and 2 low students when it comes to writing. Could they create a collection of different types of writing that have a THEME - know that is important in 5th grade reading --- maybe longer meaningful stories and simple lists of words they like.  Can you unofficially  require that they need to be passionate about whatever they focus on. Could this collection of writing allow for nonfiction/research writing. I think some of the old school I search but broader. Think I might have a resource book or two for you.....

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I've also been thinking about the sustainability with this Sally in relation to small groups. When we go back to school, that's two days a week that we won't be able to conference or do small group work due to social distancing. I'm wondering about you use flipgrid or some sort of video tech tool to have recorded conversations with your kids that don't have to happen "live." Just a thought!

Carl Anderson did a virtual PD on virtual conferring. I'm wondering if that or anything he has put out about it would be beneficial for you.

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I think it would be okay to start with your homeroom only. Call it a "pilot program". Your students can know this and help you develop the program for others.

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I recall a few years back Ken was the children's poet laurent and his website is amazing. Lots of links to funny poems for kids. Check it out!!
I also think kids would like to see that poets are boys, girls, young, old, black, Latinx, white. Be sure to spotlight the diverse world of poets and maybe a question in your survey could ask them to name a poet who looks like them and who doesn't - then see if on the post-survey, they can grow in this knowlege. Just a thought. FInally, check with Heather to see if any of her students are choosing to write poetry as their personal writing. If so, maybe you work with them and they share their poetry because they are poets!!

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Kenn Nesbitt’s Poetry4kids.com – Funny poems for children

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I think Flipgrid and other tech tools could definitely be useful in getting to know students - and I think they enjoy it as well. We have book trailers - maybe they could do something like that but a thirty second "all about me" trailer... could be fun.

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Amy, I love this idea! There are so many amazing antiracist books for young children. I'm also wondering how you will encourage children of color to join the book club without it seeming like they are being singled out. I wonder if you could choose a book and then release an interest survey to see what students are interested in reading the book. You could do a fun book trailer on the book to build interest. Maybe this would naturally encourage the students who are in need of literature reflecting their life experiences. Discovery is also predominantly white and affluent, and I have found that those students are just as much in need of reading books from different perspectives and antiracist literature.

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for your smart goal focus on one area - say teachers but go wide with the topic too. Ok to keep it simple when it comes to data - number of interactions etc...

Maybe think of it as a listening tour - what do they want from a library - on one hand teachers overwhelmed but a some might h ave some insights

Have office hours - but play with it - call it something fun --- give fun simple gifts to those who show up

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Maybe you could have students create an inspiration board if they choose and have time. It could be a slide or with actual pictures/cut-outs. It would give you new prompts for asking questions each time you saw them.

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It is fine to be broad. I would encourage you to regularly reflect on what you are spending your time on now and why. Soon, patterns will occur. You might survey kids and teachers to ask what is helping them to find books. What is a struggle. I recall when I started as a reading specialist and was expected to have a webpage, I spent time looking at ALL the other reading specialists' webpages in FCPS and I stole the ideas I liked to create mine. So maybe you look to see what other librarians are doing out there already and steal the ideas you like best!! Just a thought!

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This is so interesting Kathryn! I'm wondering how you can make the sound wall interactive in this virtual environment? How will you engage with the sound wall while teaching? Can't wait to see it!

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I like the idea of focusing on Mirrors and Windows --- so it allows the "diversity" to be different for everyone.  I love the idea of book groups - but maybe start with picture book biographies or short articles ---just to get things flowing. Happy to chat with you about book ideas ---- One vote for Drita My Homegirl - where the immigrant white girl is the minority in an NYC school

like the idea of going beyond the empathy - how to dig deeper -- how as a community can we bring about change ----

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Jason Reynolds has some awesome mini-prompts on the Library of Congress website. I used a few in the spring last year.

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Welcome to the "Write. Right. Rite.," a "GRAB THE MIC: Tell Your Story" video series! The "Write. Right. Rite." is meant to be an entertaining and inventive way to engage with the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, Jason Reynolds.

According to Reynolds, the "Write. Right. Rite." is all about learning the ritual of "authentic"-not to be confused with "correct" or "exact"-expression. Throughout the series, Reynolds shares his passion for storytelling while discussing topics like creativity, connection, and imagination. At the end of each video, Reynolds shares a prompt that encourages young people to work toward a specific idea. The activities are fun-filled and some are more challenging than others, but Reynolds always makes sure to include brainstorming "get-you-going" questions.

So, what do you say? Are you ready to dive into, try on, and work through all the "Write. Right. Rite." episodes?

Go for it!

Watch the Entire "Write. Right. Rite." Series:

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Research Guides: Jason Reynolds, National Ambassador for Young People's Literature: "Write. Right. Rite." Series

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On January 13, 2020, Jason Reynolds was announced as the seventh National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. Learn more about Jason and his activities as National Ambassador through this guide.

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This is great idea Kristin and really reminds us of the purpose of education. I really think that teachers across grade levels and areas of speciality need a way to connect during this time. I feel like I only interact with a small handful of people on a weekly basis. I'm sure the kids are feeling the same way. How can you encourage something that brings students and/or teachers together across the building virtually?

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As you spoke, I felt the same way about my summer. I grew up in Falls Church and went to St. James Catholic School and had 1 black girl in my HS class at O'Connell. It has taken me until my 50s to finally learn American history. So much I need to know and understand. I think a book club is a great idea and a safe place to read and have conversations. Consider picture books too. I am sharing Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o and discuss colorism - a concept new to me. I will email you a screencastomatic I made of her reading aloud her book and an interview she did on the Kelly Rippa show when she explains why she wrote the book. Just a thought. I also love everything by Nikki Grimes especially her Dymonde Daniels series. Also I appreciated you mentioning you didn't want the few kids of color to feel bad. I wonder if you focus on JOYFUL stories with black characters - like Jabari Jumps - and discuss his perseverance and support from his dad. Just a thought! So glad you joined our group. Can't wait to see where you take this.

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I love your topic idea but wonder if maybe you can scale it back in a way that gives you more calm - seems very ambitious for K in a virtual year. Or maybe you can still do this but focus on a more survival topic that also gives you joy : )

Start small maybe - I could see you using a table that grows and linking sound recordings as a possibility

What does your team think of this? Have you shared the idea with Lynn and Judy? Does Lexia or any of these other online tools that teachers have to go to training for have some sort of sound component that you can make use of.... maybe someone has started this online....maybe a good librarian can help you look : )

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I second Jason Reynolds site on LOC! I believe Christian Robinson has something similar but it might be more art focused - I can't seem to find the link at the moment.  I think it is great to focus on poetry and modeling --  make poetry more accessible to students.

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I saw the trailer you created to "introduce" the personal writing piece to the students -- so great!

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i am looking forward to Saturday's Happy Hour with you following TCRWP virtual Sat Reunion. I wonder if there wiill be workshop to attend on sound walls?? Is this a TC think? I wonder - how different is it from a word wall? I saw another comment was to maybe start our small. Is there some sounds to focus on that have more bang for your buck? Which sounds would you include no matter what? You mentioned starting with names....maybe that becomes what drives your sounds.Can't wait to see where this takes you!!

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How can I, a Videographer, create engaging instructional videos for students during distance learning?