Amy and I sat side by side, a piece of kindergarten writing between us-“How To Put On Glasses,” we giggled as we decoding, marveling at the drawings and the careful instruction: First take out the glasses. “Eten” (which we decided meant “and then” since the writer had used it to start each of the steps that followed) pull out one of the arms. “Eten” pull out the other arm. Put the glasses on. Congratulations. (I wish I had snapped a picture of the spelling!) You did it!
Over the last two days, we spent time with our staff developer, studying student writing, planning, creating, and implementing small groups. All of this work has been a welcome chance to spend time with writing. The last few years seemed to have been consumed with reading and when we planned this work around writing with our staff developer, it was mostly because I knew we needed time to devote to writing.
I shamefully admit that I have not made the time or space to really study writing in our primary grades this year. I had forgotten the joy that writing brings. Sitting around our table with our k-2 teachers the last two days has been a treat and I was reminded of all the power that being a teacher of writer holds. As I read second grade realistic fiction stories, I wondered if the sisters that one writer wrote about was based on her own sibling relationship and when her character showed frustration with her mom being selfish for taking a new job, if that bore any resemblance to her own family. I learned more about the passions of some of our first grade writers as they shared their opinions about collections they had carefully gathered, ranked, and described. Kids had a lot to say about rocks, Lego figurines, and of course Pokemon Cards. And then as we ended the day with our kindergarten team, I learned of all the things our youngest students know how to do and want to teach others about. For example, B. wants everyone to know how to be a kindergartener and E. shared all of the steps for snorkeling.
This time with our staff developer didn’t really introduce us to anything new. No one left stressed or overwhelmed by something else we needed to add to our plates. What it did offer us the gift of time-to sit, read, reflect, create, and rekindle the joy that comes with growing writers.
And now, I sit and wonder, how to make space for more of this…
Where There Is Joy 
The way you described your professional community is inspiring. I am in awe of the way your team works together and the joy you find in learning about your students’ learning. This post is yet another example of that.
LikeLike
I enjoyed your slice. The richness of topics the young writers bring made me smile. the slice also made me feel sadness – writing with the children is one thing I miss from my former life as a teacher.
LikeLike
THIS!!! “This time with our staff developer didn’t really introduce us to anything new. No one left stressed or overwhelmed by something else we needed to add to our plates. What it did offer us the gift of time-to sit, read, reflect, create, and rekindle the joy that comes with growing writers.” What a gift! This is what I want from PD. Isn’t this rekindled joy what drives us to do better, to be more reflective in our practice? Isn’t it the perfect treatment for the insidious infection of burnout? To be honest, I’ve come to dread PD precisely because it’s so often the former, rather than the latter. I’m so glad you all had such a rich, wonderful experience. Kudos to you for pulling it together!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’ve also decided to shift some of our focus to writing with our staff developer this week so this makes me happy. Love how you got back to something that matters, knowing kids as writers and people! Kind of what we get from this challenge too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is exactly what I thought too…why all of this matters and it matters for kids too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your last paragraph nails it. When I walked in yesterday afternoon, the room had the relaxed feeling you describe, yet the were planning. Teachers need more opportunities like that…it’s good for everyone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s the best strategy for inspiring writing I’ve ever heard: ask them what they want to know how to do to inspire someone to write what they want to read about. Genius! I love the joy you bring. Writing does take a lot of time, but the payoff is so worth it. I say so many times that I wish there were more hours in the day, but then I realize……no, I don’t. I just want to be able to truly live more of them and then to be able to write about the ones I have to live. This is a joyful slice!
LikeLike
It sounds like the perfect kind of development time, stress-free and full of fun. It helps to know what your students find important and want to write about.
LikeLike
This is the second post today about successful and joyful PD! Yay! We need to celebrate these wins whenever and wherever they occur and remind ourselves of what’s possible. Teachers don’t always need new material to add to their programs. Instead, we often benefit more from dedicated time to thoughtfully engage with each other about what we are doing and how learning is showing up in our classrooms. Thanks for championing and sharing this approach.
LikeLike
What we can learn about our students from their writing is a treasure.
LikeLike
I loved your opening… ethn. Glad we’re spending a little more time looking at writing too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I love reading student writing and discovering so much about the writers through their words! But it’s so hard to find the time to do it, especially with fellow teachers. I’m glad you were able to set aside two days for it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This post is pure inspiration, as you weave the joy of reading writing with the joy of collaboration with the joy of planning. What a blessing for educators, for students, to have their writing & learning lives cultivated so purposefully. I am taking energy from this post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for that. ❤️
LikeLike
Sometimes we really do just need the time to read and admire our students’ writing. That is a gift!
LikeLike
This sounds like an amazing opportunity to dig into kids’ writing!
LikeLike