“I Can” Lists from NC

A kindergarten teacher from NC shared these “I Can” lists with me recently. I love the use of the photos and the kid-friendly language to give children support in working independently. Ideally, these charts are made “with” students, so they own the work. Send samples of “I Can” lists to share on this page to me at d.diller@live.com. Would love to see what you and your students are doing!

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Dedicated in Denver

My recent travels have taken me to Denver Public Schools where I’m working with CORE Matters teams. Educators there are so dedicated to improving instruction for their students. It is a delight to be a part of this project! Teachers have used my book, Spaces & Places, to set up their classrooms and are using literacy work stations and small group instruction.

Here are some photos from January 2010:

"I Can" lists help children remember exactly what to do at stations and independent reading. This one is in a classroom library.

 

"I Can" list for independent reading

First and 5th grade teachers wear something on their heads to remind students to work independently of them- It works!

A cowboy hat works too!

Dedicated educators from the Force Elementary CORE Matters team

Teams examine leveled books together for guided reading instruction

Teachers make comprehension anchor charts

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Literacy stations around the world

I’m noticing that we’re getting quite a few fans from countries around the world, including a number of you from Denmark and Canada. We’d love to hear how you’re using literacy stations and small group instruction in your classrooms! Please post a comment and let us know.

I’ve worked in Canada several times and will be speaking at the upcoming Reading for the Love of It conference in Toronto on February 11-12, 2010. Hope to see some of you there! Please come by and say hello.

In fact, while working with the Edmonton Catholic Schools last year, we created a faith-based or worship station “I Can” list. We had quite a great time coming up with this idea!

Worship Station "I Can" list brainstormed with Edmonton Catholic Schools

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Learning together in Dyersburg, TN

This week I worked with kind, caring K-2 teachers from Tennessee. Dyersburg is in farm country about 3 hours driving time from Nashville. We drove past cotton fields and saw lots of soybeans too, on the way there. In the evening, we enjoyed cool temperatures as we strolled past a historic monument and restored buildings.  On the way home, we flew on a 9-seat Cessna back to Nashville to save driving time. Smooth ride on Tennessee Air!

I look forward to ongoing work in this part of the world. The teachers I met care deeply about their children and doing the best they can to help them achieve. They were warm, friendly, and fun. As part of our work together, we studied the power of developing “I Can” lists with students to give them ownership for their work at literacy stations. We made some together to experience the process and the thinking behind them. One of my favorite moments was when we were working in grade level teams brainstorming ideas of what children might do at a poetry station. A 2^nd grade teacher pulled out her iPhone and looked up the state standards to be sure they were including meaningful independent practice linked to standards. Now that’s 21^st century teaching!

Sample “I Can” list for an observation station in 2nd grade

A 2nd grade teacher consults an iPhone to check state standards to include at poetry station practice

First grade teachers brainstorm ideas that might go on an “I Can” list for poetry

Kindergarten teachers think about what kids might try at a poetry station

Downtown statue in Dyersburg, TN

Downtown drug store in Dyersburg

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