Reading in the Wild #CyberPD

When I was asked if I wanted to try out some online PD this summer and then my friend, Jen, told me the book title, Reading in the Wild. I immediately had a very literal picture form in my head. The above picture is pretty close to what I imagined. Doesn't it look like wonderful place to read? Quiet - only the sounds of nature. Tons of books at an arms reach. But it is also in the middle of the outdoors. Anything can happen. Sometimes to notice what is truly going on around you, you need to really focus and look closely.

I have been encouraged to join a book conversation that will take place through blogs, tweets, and posts! It is mind boggling to me that this way of communicating while learning is becoming more and more normal. At first I thought, "How can chatting online really deepen my understanding of a text?"

I haven't even cracked the book yet, but I am starting to realize the benefits of this activity. First, I can see that I will be able to connect with people from around the country. I will gain understanding from other viewpoints, get practical ideas from other teachers, and meet colleagues that have the same interests and passions as me.

Second, I know that when I go to publish a piece of writing, real THOUGHT goes into the words I put on paper. This will force me to think about my reading and articulate my thoughts as I transfer it to the written word. Funny - kind of sounds like exactly what I have been working so hard on with my third grade students the past few years. I think this will a fun opportunity and I hope to be able to apply the learning that I take away to my work this coming fall with teachers and students.

The book we are reading is called Reading in the Wild by Donalyn Miller.

I will share my thinking as soon as I open the book and dive in!


Comments

  1. JenJuly 13, 2014 at 3:28 PM

    So proud of you and excited to learn together - on so many levels!

    ReplyDelete

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