2 Nerds + 10 Essentials

The best way to kick off a school year? Listening to what our learners have to share with us! We found some great learner insights from last year; we hope student voices launch you into connecting and exploring motivation and classroom libraries with this year's learners! #seriesmatter #nonfiction #motivation #readathome

In Episode 12, we get to chat with Kevin Richards and Michelle Wahlberg about how Project Based Learning provides authentic situations for reading and writing, to increase learners' purpose and motivation in their reading and writing. We hear how one project in Kevin's room connects his class to area businesses and the community.

In Episode 11 we get to sit down and chat with Alyssa Nauta and Amy Yarian from Reeths-Puffer Schools. They share their learning around Essential 6. Amy and Alyssa will share their practices with Brain Frames, and how this strategy can help writers see, reflect on and share what they know. This learning is tentatively scheduled this summer July 29th-August 2nd at the Muskegon ISD. You can learn more about Brain Frames here: http://www.architectsforlearning.com/schools-teachers/services/trainings/brain-frames/

Episode 10 is all about student voice! This episode explores ways readers feel motivated, set goals and experience the joy of finding a good book. The students share their experiences in and outside of school that have shaped them as readers, and offer some insights to keep in mind as we approach our reading instruction. We hope you enjoy!

Today we hear about some creative ways to learn from the experts in our own building. This article from The Cult of Pedagogy helps explain the ins and outs of the job embedded learning that Beth and Jodee talk about in this episode(https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/pineapple-charts/). Listen and join us in celebrating the experts all around us!

Today we got to chat with Randy Lindquist and Adam Bayne about their vision for the literacy essentials and the importance of supporting building administrators and families. Well worth a listen!

We get to sit down with Megan Perrault and Amy Uptigrove to hear how the Essential practices are impacting General Eduction and Special Education teachers across Muskegon County. We will hear how Churchill Elementary is supporting teachers and all learners through this work, and get to hear about the ways the 'Essential Series' at the Muskegon ISD lifts all educators up through the essential practices.

Every Child. Every Classroom. Every Day. This episode digs deep with Annie Willard, Theresa Augustyniak and Corinn Hower, as they share how students with multiple impairments (SXI)are not only engaging, but blossoming as they develop identities as readers and writers through the work in the essentials. This inspiring conversation will help listeners see the child, and not the disability first!

We left the mic running! After our last episode, we had time to catch up with Michelle and Elyse about the 10 essentials and the many ways they impact the learning happening in Muskegon County and across the state. It was too good to not share, and we hope you enjoy!

Michelle Wahlberg and Elyse Benson share their experiences as coach and coachee. Highlighting the supportive nature of coaching, Michelle and Elyse offer their experiences, insights and mind shifts for consideration. Michelle is a Literacy Coach at the Muskegon ISD, and Elyse currently teaches kindergarten age children in North Muskegon Public Schools.

Reflecting on ways the Essential Literacy Practices impact State-Wide initiatives, this episode shares experiences from Dr. Kyle Mayer, Associate Superintendent at the Ottawa Area ISD. Dr. Mayer's work with the Reading Now Network (RNN), the High Impact Leadership Grant (Western Michigan University) and the Essential Literacy Practices (GELN) provides informed and uniques insights into teacher voice, current initiatives in West Michigan, and state wide policy.

In Episode 2 we explore more of the work happening state wide around the Essential Practices for Literacy, hear more about the coaching happening across the state, and get a sneak peek at new resources coming out on literacyessentials.org!

In our inaugural episode, we chat with Dr. Nell Duke, and hear her thoughts on the essential instructional practices, school wide practices and exciting work happening across our state. Dr. Duke shares advice for new and veteran teachers, principals and educators at large. Great resources and videos can be found at http://literacyessentials.org/ as Dr. Duke referenced. If you're interested in concise digestible information to promote literacy in your school, check out the "Not This, But That" series here: https://www.heinemann.com/series/72.aspx