The "Stop, Look and Listen" component was very engaging and a perfect way to bring the information to life. Featuring the various grade levels in the videos in Learn by Example is also extremely helpful in order to make a direct reference to the teacher’s needs by grade levels.
— Brenda Falcone, Literacy Coach, CFISD, Texas
I attended the grades 3-5 learning group meeting this week and was thrilled with the level of professional conversation. You’ve created a miracle!
— Deborah Harbin, Principal, CFISD, Texas
I have been diligently working on CaR and am learning sooooo...much. It is already helping my conversation with teachers in my role as a coach. It is causing me to stop and reflect on the how and why of teaching. This is some of the best learning that has happened for me in quite some time. I am so pleased to be a part of this on-line learning. I also feel like it is some of the best learning our teachers have had the opportunity with which to be involved.
— Heidi Fyfe, Reading Specialist, CSD, New Hampshire
I personally found that the "Learn By Example" to be a very useful tool. I knew I could return to it as many times as needed to ensure that I understood how the workshop should be managed. I appreciate the fact that CaR took the time to give us many video examples in addition to the resources and theories. I am very grateful for the opportunity to be engaged in CaR. This course has helped me understand how children become writers and how to help them move forward in their writing. Thank You!!!
— Melissa Ramirez , 3rd grade teacher , CFISD, Texas
Thank you, Connect and Reflect, for offering such awesome information in such an easy to use format. The most beneficial element of this whole online experience has been the small group collaboration on the information in the web course. To get together with others and discuss what is going on with my writing world has been absolutely powerful. Thanks for offering the support that makes that possible!
— Becky Owens, Reading Specialist, CFISD, Texas
I loved watching the teachers interact with the students in the videos. I thought this was extremely powerful since most of us do not get the chance to actually see Writing Workshop in motion. Most in-services give you the material and say go to it.
— Stacy Garcia, Title 1, FBISD, Texas
I loved the step by step approach. Even though I am not very computer savvy I was comfortable with the website. I loved being able to see each section in action and hear the teacher’s reflections. It was nice not being bombarded with so much staff development in one week but rather having it spread out over several months. It gave us time to hear a little, try it out and come back and talk about it with our colleagues. Also, I wanted to let you know that I was very excited about the 2nd section focusing on teachers as writers. By the end of the process you shared, I actually felt like a writer. It was amazing! I know you aren't surprised but I surprised myself.
— Peggy Zievert-Gioacchini, Reading Specialist/2nd grade Teacher, CFISD, Texas
Watching the actual videos of the classroom teacher was awesome! Having real literature to suggest was very helpful. Using the online journal as I worked, really helped to record and follow my thoughts. Also, I have learned so much in our meetings. Though I am usually tired and wiped out by the time we meet in the afternoon, the discussions and reflections have been such a treasure for my growth in writing in my classroom. I am actually doing writer’s workshop and enjoying it. There is a much more positive atmosphere in my classroom towards writing as a process and not just a final product! Thank you, CaR !
— Lisa Brannon, 5th grade teacher, CFISD, Texas
Out of all the staff development courses that we have participated in over the years, CaR actually helped to produce the results that we want: teachers trying out their craft, sharing their questions, observing teachers in action, and ongoing reflection about their teaching. Awesome!!
— Jan Griffin, Principal, SBISD, Texas
The most beneficial parts of this course were the "Stop Look and Listen" and the "Learn by Example". The reason was that when I attend workshops all the information sounds great but I never get to see how it all works. In this course I get to watch another teacher at work and return to it as many times as needed to watch again. The expertise of the instructor is also available to return to and review.
— Melissa Ramirez, 3rd grade Bilingual Teacher, CFISD, Texas
We experienced an overwhelmingly positive response to Launching Young Writers last year. I believe the way it was implemented -- having you here to get the ball rolling, having the Reading Specialists to provide ongoing structured coaching/support, combined with the magic of a powerful technology-based interface -- resulted in a huge success!
— Dorinda Gibney, Director of Professional Development, CSD, New Hampshire
This course has prepared me to develop tomorrow's Cynthia Rylant, Mary Pope Osborne, and many other great authors. My students are truly benefiting from the work that I am involved in through this course. CaR was a wonderful idea and should be used by all districts nationwide. With CaR, you not only hear wonderful and practical ideas and information but you experience it first hand through the viewing of the "Learn by Example".
— Melissa Ramirez, 3rd grade Bilingual Teacher, CFISD, Texas
Thank you so much for your support. The course is well worth the money and time and I feel fortunate to be studying with Terri. I love the initial work with Gradual Release and thinking about how I use my own writing to model for kids. I am finding the work very valuable and am thinking about how to share some of my learning with others here at my school. The syllabus is soooo helpful for mapping out how I will accomplish the work.Thank you, thank you, thank you, Jill
P.S. I highly recommend this course for any teacher interested in learning more about Writers Workshop. I think if you are already successful with Writers Workshop, you would enjoy the course as it provides the opportunity for self-reflection while prompting you to consider and analyze certain aspects of your Workshop. I have loved taking the course and again would recommend this to any veteran or novice teacher to help them implement a successful and thoughtful Writers Workshop.
— Jill Pitner, Literacy Coach/Classroom Teacher, DPS, Colorado
We are very happy to be a part of this program. We have seen the learning from CAR translated into action in the classrooms.
— Paige Thakkar, Reading Specialist, CFISD, Texas
I loved the fact that the sections of course were divided into small chunks. I was able to do little snippets at a time and keep up with the learning. This type of design really fits a teacher's need for learning, trying it out, and reflecting on their practice.
— Jan Griffin, Principal, SBISD, Texas
I wish we would've had this a long time ago! About a year ago we (K/1 helping teachers) were investigating writing workshop and how to best introduce it to our teachers. We spent majority of the spring and summer refining our learning. So, when I watch the different modules, my thought is "Oh....I wish I would've had this last year!" The PK/K/1 teachers who are taking this are advanced learners and were already successful at implementing writing workshop prior to starting Connect and Reflect. New learning has still occurred and re-affirmed many things that we are already doing and ways to "tweak" certain areas.
— Wendy Suddendorf, District Helping Teacher, K/1, CFISD, Texas
Connect and Reflect has been consistently heralded among teachers at my school as "one of the most finely crafted professional resources" with which they have worked. What we seem to like is the flexibility of the study modules--you can partner up and take a collaborative approach or, as I have a teacher doing in the next few weeks, take a day of professional time and immerse herself in guided learning. Connect and Reflect is also fun. Who would have thought that a small group of us would enjoy pizza and beer at a teacher's house on a weeknight while chatting online with Ralph Fletcher? This was just one of the ways that its design lends itself to creativity and flexibility in professional development. Thank you for bringing this opportunity to our school!
— Bruce Blau, Principal, Kimball School, CSD, New Hampshire
There are two aspects of Connect and Reflect that are my favorites. I like being able to revisit a section of the module. If I tried something out and it didn't go very well then I can reflect on my own lesson and go back to the module and see how I can make it better. The other aspect that I really like is that I get the information in little snippets. I know how it is to go to an 8 hour in-service and be so excited while I am there. Then when I get back to my school, I feel overwhelmed about where to start and what to try. Connect and Reflect reminds me of my Reading Recovery training. We learned a little bit and after we had tried it out we came back and discussed how it went. It is the same with Connect and Reflect - we learn in small snippets and get a chance to try it out and then get together with our learning communities to discuss how everything was going. Great concept! I am waiting for the Readers Workshop version to come out!
— Peggy Zievert-Gioacchini, 2nd Grade, CFISD, Texas
One thing I love about Connect and Reflect is the Learn by Example classroom videos. As a first year teacher I can watch a video, take notes, and then go teach the same mini- lesson. After my lesson I reflect on the lesson by re-watching the video and thinking about how I will teach it differently next time. Thanks,
— Heidi Ohlson, 3rd Grade, CSD, New Hampshire
As a first year teacher, Connect and Reflect has been very beneficial to me. The videos and journal section of the site have been the most helpful. It is wonderful to be able to see the work in progress and see how students of all "kinds" react to the workshop. Although I was not able to participate I am excited about the opportunities that were made able to talk to Fletcher. Thanks for the opportunity and I am hoping to participate in future chat room events.
— Marcus McGriff, Classroom Teacher, CFISD, Texas
I found that viewing the teacher's lessons was extremely valuable. What I liked the best about it was that I could go back and view it over and over. If you go to a teacher and observe in person or see a video in an in-service, that is it. Also, the chat room was a fun way to interact with others and with people like Ralph Fletcher and Katie Wood Ray.
— Mary McCracken, Bilingual Liason, CFISD, Texas
I thought the videos were GREAT!
— Diana, 2nd grade teacher, DPS, Colorado
Connect and Reflect has given our school invaluable information to propel not only our students to be better writers, but ourselves also. CaR adds needed elements to staff development in general. No other staff development offers the opportunity to re-visit the information after the fact , as many times as I need to, in text format, as well as audio! Another element of staff development that teachers crave is the collaboration that the meetings offer. The information we share together as teammates only strengthens our instruction. Having the opportunity to talk about our students in a professional environment on an ongoing basis makes the information immediately relevant to what I am doing daily in the classroom. Thank you Terri for bringing CaR to us!
— Becky Owens, Dyslexia/Reading Enrichment Specialist, CFISD, Texas
Connect and Reflect has allowed my teachers and me to learn about writer's workshop on a very deep level. The videos are excellent and are often referred to in our discussions as we implement the segments with our students. The teachers feel more empowered to teach writing, and are very excited to see the students become better writers.
— JoEtta Carroll, Assistant Principal, CFISD, Texas
The teachers and I love CAR! It is amazing the conversations and reflections that take place in our meetings. My teachers have already begun to make changes in their teaching style which has obviously had a positive result in student success. Thank you for coming up with a fabulous way for teachers to learn from one another.
— Tresa M. Rogers, Instructional Specialist, CFISD, Texas
Working with the Connect and Reflect training has been SO POWERFUL for my teachers and my students! The teachers who have taken on this learning are always having very meaningful conversations about writing. This has been a great way to encourage professional learning communities in a way that the teachers are very empowered regarding their learning. We LOVE it!
— Meredith Perkins, Principal, CFISD, Texas
One of the things I have enjoyed the most out of the CAR training and meetings is the time that I have had discussing writing with the other teachers in my group. We all have a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with each other. I have enjoyed discussing each unit and learning from and with the other teachers. CAR has given me the opportunity to meet with teachers in my building who I usually do not get a chance to discuss the writing process with. This time has proven to be valuable and positive.
— Camille Price, Kindergarten Teacher, DPS, Colorado
I feel fortunate to be taking the Connect and Reflect workshop. It has guided me as a writer and a teacher of writing. It helps me on what I have been doing and what I need to add to have a more complete writing workshop. One of the best parts of this course is that the information is available in the website and that I can access for information or guidance anytime I need it.
— Maria Solis, ECE-8th Classroom Teacher, DPS, Colorado
Terri, I've just come from another session of our learning group and continue to be amazed at the level of conversation about our instructional practices due to the Connect and Reflect structure and curriculum. Everyone in the 3-5 group agrees that being able to see the video clips of actual teachers in actual classrooms is their favorite part. We also had some rich discussion based on articles and information within the unit. We were discussing Lesson 7 - Writing as a Process. We talked a lot about how we/they get students to revisit a piece and reread it. We liked the diffentiated definitions of revising and editing. We also discussed the article "Ways to Unintentionally Make Writing Difficult." (This including the confession of which ones we were guilty of doing!) We celebrated some progress of individual students and read aloud some recent pieces by some of our 4th graders! {I shared that one of the teachers in the K-2 CaR group is talking to her kinder students about writing about "small moments." The 3-5 group cheered for that!}
— Deborah Harbin, Principal, CFISD, Texas
Our learning community says…..Connect and Reflect not only supports our district's writing initiatives, it provides a clear synthesis of the best practices in regards to writing workshop. The video clips are supportive and add to the overall course of self-study. Thanks for a great product. It's really making an impact with my teachers.
— Beth Egmon, Title 1, FBISD, Texas
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