We’re on a block schedule (2 hour periods) right now. The kids are taking the math SBA (one of my kids called it the State Bullcrap Assessment yesterday…just sayin’). Anyway, the longer periods were welcomed as it gave us more time to connect through feedback. Feedback. That’s the stuff.

Working pretty hard right now to learn in my current reality to help turn my current ideal into a real reality next fall: the feedback-only classroom. One thing in particular that I am focusing on is identifying what each kid needs and using my knowledge of them to tailor my feedback. I have learned–am still learning–that feedback is about more than just using established success criteria to move my writers; it’s also about using my relationships to connect with my writers. Without connection, our impact is limited. Rubrics matter. Relationships matter. And though it may sound odd to some, when in doubt, I lean on the latter.

Because of my connection with Jack (name changed), I know how to tiptoe around his ego. He has never written anything that he doesn’t like, and so it is a delicate matter to engage him in a way that helps him and doesn’t hurt him. To be sure, his writing is good, and he is a good writer, but good can always be better, so I employ my knowledge of this young man to help him chase his own better. And for this, I find the rubric, no Rosetta Stone. Relationships are better to work from as I try to figure out the universal language of learning, so when I speak, kids like Jack, hear me because they know I see them.

Of course, there are others, one-hundred-forty-one others to be exact for whom I do my best to help them grow as writers as we make our through their unique learning journeys, which will continue long after they’ve left me behind. So, consequently, I do what I can, while I can, and I have found relationships a ready tool.

Too Fast, Too Soon

Okay, I did not plan to go here this morning. I, as has been the case here with the wind down of the year, had no idea what might come from my fingers this morning. And while I am glad my reflections and ruminations nudged me this way, it is too big a topic to dive too deeply into on this late-May day.

So, I am going to put this dive into the depths on hold for now, and save my breath for when I have more time and energy to fully formulate my thinking. I have a lot to say about rubrics. I have a lot to say about relationships. I have a lot to say about learning. But not now. Too fast, too soon.

Today’s Trail

Along today’s trail we will experience…

…connecting through Smiles and Frowns.

…growing as writers.

…reflecting in our Journey Journals.

…hearing a Sappy Sy Rhyme.

Happy Wednesday, all.

Do. Reflect. Do Better.