Brandi J. Clark

Writer and Educator

Moving the Needle with Our Struggling Readers: How?

Image by:  Miguel Á. Padriñán

How?

Writing.

We need to leverage writing.

Tim Shanahan is feeling this vibe too.

Read his article.

It’s good and provides the necessary background for my new passion project.

I am excited to teach you why we need to marry reading and writing but, also, the how.

The research is there.

So, stay tuned!

Yours forever in literacy,

Brandi

What I Believed in 2017 and Still Do!

Yesterday, I was going through my old journals and found this list of ‘things I know for sure’ regarding learning and education in 2017. For me, in 2023, nothing has changed from this list. I still love the ‘real’ things like books, paper and people. Even with the digital explosion and the AI, it is hand-ons learning that centers me and inspires my creativity. Everything needs balance. I strive to make sure that there is some balance in the work I do with students and teachers. Here is the list! Enjoy!

From 2017 

Things I know for sure:

Reading is social. The digital experience can never replace the paper experience.

Do the read alouds, kids want to hear you.

Kids first, grade assignment is secondary.

Relationships are important…every child, every staff member, every parent.

Miserable people are few and far between.

Writing must happen every day.

Everyone wants to hear how they are doing, confirmation is nice.

Folding paper is always fun…at any age.

Change the paper, 8×11 is standard, you’re not.

Writing can get a bad “wrap”. Don’t be the person that delivers that package.

Being reaffirmed can defuse a situation…we all want to be heard.

Permission is the barrier between Now and Wow!

Until Next Time,

Brandi