Warning: geeky, gushing English/reading teacher talk follows. #hopeyoustillreadit
It is safe to say that Perry Central Elementary could form a fan club for Lucy Calkins and her work in teaching students to read and write. We are #ruos and #tcrwp stalkers on Twitter. We call her by her first name as if we are old friends. The thing about Lucy is that her work does not just teach kids to be literate--that is a drastic oversimplification of what she does. She treats students as if they are capable of contributing something valuable to the classroom and to the world. And they do. In this balanced literacy model, students think deeply about text and about their own writing because they believe that their voices matter. Perhaps it is because the approach aligns with our philosophy of relationships being the foundation for learning that Lucy Calkins's work has resonated with us.
Many of our elementary teachers have been implementing the Lucy Calkins Units of Study for Reading since the start of school. These units are written for K-5, and they pair well with the Units of Study for Writing that she also developed. The units require a tremendous commitment because they are not cookie-cutter, simple lesson plans with cute, quick activities. They are robust lessons that teachers are reading and re-reading prior to implementation. That does not mean teachers check their brains at the door, rather they use the lessons as a guide and springboard for reading and writing in their classrooms.
It makes me smile to see teachers' Lucy books with dog-eared pages and post-it notes sticking out in all directions and color-coded highlights. It makes me smile to listen to the questions teachers and students are posing, to see the light in kids' eyes and watch how they lean in as the teacher reads aloud. It is not that the Units of Study alone are responsible for this--we have built a strong reading curriculum over the years, and we have talented, dedicated teachers who are constantly looking to get better. That is what these units are helping us to do--become stronger, more thoughtful practitioners. Beautiful things are happening in classrooms in little Leopold, Indiana, and it is a joy to behold.
The following are some links to RUOS resources in case you are not from PC and happen to read this blog. If you are already using them, you might find something to keep pushing you forward. If you have been reluctant to try the units or worrying about how to "fit it all in", then maybe these resources will help you take the leap.
Videos by Lucy Calkins for each grade level: http://readingandwritingproject.org/resources/units-of-study-in-reading
Videos and samples of student work (reading and writing): http://readingandwritingproject.org/resources/student-work
Book Lists: http://readingandwritingproject.org/resources/book-lists
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