Nothing Like Visiting CWP Teachers in Their Schools To Learn What's New in Writing Instruction

Yesterday, I went into several classrooms to learn with CWP teachers and their students about the writing they've been doing since the 2019 Invitational Leadership Institute. I was delighted to hear from Amy Collins and Mykala Heiden, 3rd grade instructors at Curiale in Bridgeport and witness the ways they are combining language arts and special education instruction (two of the recipients of a Noble Trust fellowship this past summer). On the door was the mantra, "Ubuntu: I am, because we are!" and it was easily seen by the work the young people were doing. I was thrilled to learn, too, that they were implementing not only writer's notebooks, but math, science, and social studies notebooks, too, where washi tape was in force, writing strategies, reading support and guided instructional practices to help all the learners learn.

The kids were anxious to share their writing with me and I was lucky to sit at a desk and have them read their work, one by one, excited to demonstrate that they ARE writers and they LOVE learning with their teachers.

Aniyah, one of the students, like the others, had her yearlong writing goal taped to the top of her composition book: My goal this year is to try a new type of writing. Her notebook was loaded with examples of many types of writing: writing to learn, writing to interpret, writing to imagine, writing to narrate, writing to inform and writing to explain. I told the teachers I was extremely impressed by how many pages were filled so early in the school year.

What was most impressive, however, was the support for all students - Ms. Heiden at a table with some of the learners, Ms. Collins at another, and several students working independently and in groups on the writing task(s) of the day.

It was easily seen that Curiale 3rd graders in their care are a community of growing writers, who see written communication as a means to write their lives and their worlds.

My heart grew a few inches as a result, especially as I prepare for graduate course instruction and continue to reflect on the successes from this past summer.

It drizzled all day and the skies were murky gray. Still, in their room, with these learners, the sun was shining and the warmth was everywhere.

I need to get in classrooms more. This was a wonderful visit!