All Over the Place

Some days, my job has me all over the place. When I say that, I mean, I’m giving targeted OG lessons and the next thing I know I’m in a classroom watching the curriculum come to life with children.

Today was one of those days.

9:30 brought three third graders in for some targeted -cle work. Today, we would be joining syllables, reading and writing -cle words. The three settled right into the work. I was in awe at C as she finally, this year, began to use the language of identifying syllables. “That’s an open syllable because the vowel says it name”. She was focused, thinking and as a result she was expressing herself clearly. Most importantly, she was proud. I could see it in her eyes.

Later that morning, I found myself in a third grade classroom. They were reading their research writing to a partner – rehearsing. I listened in to T and J. At one point, J questioned T’s research. “Are you sure the elephant nurses for 4 years? Is it 4 months?” She went on, “When human babies are born, they drink their mother’s milk immediately, but not usually for years?” I was in awe at the research, the listening, the thinking. The rehearsing had T questioning his own research. About 5 minutes later, I found him back at his computer, searching for the book that would validate his writing. “Look, Mrs. Sherriff, here it is.” I witnessed a reader reading for a purpose and determination. We called J over and she read the page silently. “Wow! That is cool.” She questioned, he searched and shared, and I supported and witnessed the process. All our minds were opened.

Sometimes, my job has me teaching with structures, routines, and repetition because I know it’s what the child needs. But sometimes, my job is to teach and coach from a listening place.

Yes, my job sometimes has me all over the place but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Every day, I’m ready, open and always learning from those kids.