Review Reading #2 Systems to Transform Your Classroom and School - Nancie Atwell
ISBN: 978-0-325-04266-4
ISBN-10: 0-325-04266-7
Publisher: Heinemann Publishing
Publication Date: 2014
Here is my second 'Letter-Essay,' this time reflecting on 'Systems to Transform Your Classroom and School.'
Dear Reader,
About a month ago I finished reading Systems to Transform Your Classroom and School written by Nancie Atwell. I love Atwell's prose and found, again, that the expression and explanations were clear and detailed. The anecdotes add a personal touch and were engaging whilst also being honest and heartwarming. The text provides an overview of key systems that operate effectively at Atwell's school the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL). As a reader there is a clear image of what each day looks like at CTL and it is easy to see that an encouraging community is created through the routines of Morning Meeting, the established Bill of Rights, and the development of school traditions, all of which underpin the focus of the school. The DVD accompanying the text provided great insight and exemplified all of the processes Atwell explored in Systems. It was really exciting to see how engaged the students were in their learning and to listen to the language used to discuss reading, and writing.
About a month ago I finished reading Systems to Transform Your Classroom and School written by Nancie Atwell. I love Atwell's prose and found, again, that the expression and explanations were clear and detailed. The anecdotes add a personal touch and were engaging whilst also being honest and heartwarming. The text provides an overview of key systems that operate effectively at Atwell's school the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL). As a reader there is a clear image of what each day looks like at CTL and it is easy to see that an encouraging community is created through the routines of Morning Meeting, the established Bill of Rights, and the development of school traditions, all of which underpin the focus of the school. The DVD accompanying the text provided great insight and exemplified all of the processes Atwell explored in Systems. It was really exciting to see how engaged the students were in their learning and to listen to the language used to discuss reading, and writing.
As an English teacher I was especially interested in the breakdown of the Writing, and Reading Workshops and how exactly these are structured. I love that the routine is very specific from K-8 so students know exactly how things will run and they can trust that a decent chunk of time is allocated in every workshop for them to read or work on their writing. The regularity allows for 'voluminous reading' and writing which really underpins the success of the students at the school.
When perusing the section on Reading Workshop I was surprised to see that Mini-Lessons were utilised at the beginning as they are in Writing Workshop. Students are taught how to choose books by 'interviewing' them, to develop a personalised criteria for abandoning a book they do not like (I LOVE this - how often do kids open up to a page randomly to appear to read instead of finding something they can't stop reading!?), and to write their Letter Essays in response to material they have read. As with Writing Workshop, the Mini-Lessons are provided to establish routines early in the year and from then, when they are needed.
When perusing the section on Reading Workshop I was surprised to see that Mini-Lessons were utilised at the beginning as they are in Writing Workshop. Students are taught how to choose books by 'interviewing' them, to develop a personalised criteria for abandoning a book they do not like (I LOVE this - how often do kids open up to a page randomly to appear to read instead of finding something they can't stop reading!?), and to write their Letter Essays in response to material they have read. As with Writing Workshop, the Mini-Lessons are provided to establish routines early in the year and from then, when they are needed.
The things I totally loved about Systems to Transform Your Classroom and School are:
- The discussion of writing as a 'slow growth process' that requires the investment of time.
- To perfect writing skills students should learn and review conventions, fail, succeed, and practise (practise, and practise)!
- The important proviso that it is desire and purpose that lead to genuine self expression.
- Gifts of Writing is a beautiful concept and the thoughtfulness of this gesture, of writing well for someone important, is emblematic of the CTL ethos.
QUOTES AND ANECDOTES:
Systems really breaks down Atwell's approaches and it is an excellent overview of the way the school operates. Each chapter includes relevant research that provides further information or the background to a particular aspect which is great when looking for further reading. The key quote that stood out to me is:
- 'I have a voice as a writer, and this is a worthwhile subject for me to advocate.'
Before you read Systems to Transform Your Classroom and School I suggest that you jump online and order In the Middle: A Lifetime of Learning about Writing, Reading, and Adolescents, it will change the way you think about the teaching of writing and reading.
Yours truly,
K
