From a young age children beg their parents, “Tell me a story!” The pull of a good story is irresistible.

Author Susan E. Israel has found a way to apply the power of stories to professional development. Her book, Breakthroughs in Literacy: Teacher Success Stories and Strategies from Jossey-Bass, is a collection of two- to three-page stories that relate pivotal moments in students’ literacy development. In each section Israel adds her own reflections plus literacy breakthrough actions that can be implemented immediately. The combination of short stories paired with practical insight makes this book a bit of professional development that even the busiest teacher can work into her day.

We asked Susan Israel to share more about her book and the lessons she learned while writing it. Let us know more about the literacy challenges you face in your classroom. Leave a comment on our blog by October 10; one lucky teacher will win a copy of the book!

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Why did you decide to focus on success stories rather than adopting a more typical format used in professional books? Writing about success stories helps teachers realize instruction that is powerfully engaging and motivational. Rather than being bound to a scholarly approach citing relevant theory and research, the storytelling format allows the authors to freely communicate their thoughts, reflections, and insights, as well as the breakthrough strategies that lead to their teaching success.

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When it comes to literacy, what’s the one thing you think teachers should do more often?

The one thing I think teachers should do more often is to see literacy as a tool to change the world. If every teacher helped one student or adult in poverty learn to read, we might be able to see a change in the next generation, as well as a decrease in poverty. The second thing I think teachers should do is learn everything they possibly can to be better teachers. That is what I do all the time. I learn from stories and I learn from research. I also learn by watching other really great teachers. Teachers get into a routine with their lesson plans and instruction, but the world is changing; the best thing teachers can do is read to learn so they can help all students be successful. **************** Which lessons from the book can teachers implement right away? Two particular lessons are very easy for teachers to incorporate. The first one is to celebrate small successes. We tend to look at academic successes once, at the end of the semester or year; but all the while in between, students who struggle with skills are making small gains. Celebrating these small successes will really make a difference in students’ motivation to learn. The second lesson is that teachers who had literacy breakthroughs did not begin by selecting strategies to teach and finding activities or fun ways to get students to learn. Instead, they did a backward approach and first understood the need of the child. That surprised me and is something I will have to explore in greater detail in another book.

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How have these stories impacted your work as a literacy researcher and writer?

The stories have impacted my way of thinking about literacy as a tool to build self-esteem and love for others. Guiding a child to literary success takes dedication and perseverance. Teachers in this volume never gave up on the child who they were trying to help. In some cases, they could have taken the easy way out and just moved on to the next thing, but they did not. These stories made a significant impact on the way I think about literacy and reading. In fact, I now believe that reading is a virtue. To teach reading is an act of love.

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What will you work on next?
I am collecting more stories about students who are from diverse populations, specifically ELL or those in poverty. I am also collecting adult reading success stories. If you have a success story to share, you’re welcome to send it to sueisrael@comcast.net. In addition I have decided to start my own press, which is called CRQ Press. The first book from my press is titled The Language of Literacy: A theme glossary for educators, politicians, business people, and literacy advocates. The literacy glossary is arranged around key themes.

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I look forward to hearing more about your challenges and breakthrough moments in literacy. Remember, post your comment by October 10 for a chance to win this exciting new book!

Karen

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Two quick items that I just ran across. They’re too good to miss!

Next week is Educator Appreciation Week at Borders and select Waldenbooks. Tuesday, September 29, through Wednesday, October 7, teachers will receive a 30% discount on books, movies, music, and more. Plus there’s a Teacher Town Hall reception at 7 p.m. on Tuesday and a Where the Wild Things Are Wild Rumpus Teacher Celebration at 6 p.m. on Friday. Sound like fun? Contact your local store for details.

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Share why your librarian is a standout! The 2009 I Love My Librarian! award honors up to ten librarians nationwide. Each winner receives $5,000! Nominations close on October 9, 2009.

I can still tell you the names of all of the librarians I had over the years—several of whom are quite deserving of the I Love My Librarian! award. Take a minute to thank your favorite librarian by posting a comment on our blog!

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Hooray for hyphens! Kudos for commas! Thursday, September 24, is National Punctuation Day. This year there’s a new and unique way to celebrate: The Punctuation Baking Contest. (Yep, you read that right!) Create baked goods in the shape of punctuation marks; then send photos and samples to enter the contest. Visit www.NationalPunctuationDay.com for all the details and to get other ideas for celebrating National Punctuation Day with your students.

I’ll provide a link to show off the winners once they’re posted. What delicacies can you dream up? Post your Punctuation Day recipe ideas here! Anyone care for a slice of chewy chocolate comma cake?

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I just got word on an exciting new program for grades 4–6! Disney’s Planet Challenge is a collaboration between Disney and the National Science Teachers Association. To participate, students identify an environmental challenge in their community and come up with a solution that they manage and document in a portfolio. Visit www.disney.com/planetchallenge for free lesson plans tailored to each state’s standards.

If you decide to participate, post a comment here to let us know about your project. Thanks!

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On September 17, 1787, delegates at the Constitutional Convention signed the document they had created. To mark this event, schools teach about the Constitution every year on the anniversary. However, explaining the Constitution to students can be a challenge. Here are a few free Constitution and Citizenship Day resources—just in time to help!

Join a virtual field trip to Signers’ Hall at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, take the Which Founder Are You? quiz, or tap into the elementary-level resources all available at www.constitutioncenter.org. Also, don’t miss the interactive Constitution: choose a section, key word, or phrase and click on it to have it explained!

Thinkfinity, sponsored by Verizon, offers links to Constitution Day activities across the web. The resources have been reviewed to ensure that the content is up-to-date and appropriate for students.

The National Archives also offers Constitution Day activities and lesson plans. Learn fascinating facts, find out more about the delegates at the Constitutional Convention, download high-resolution copies of the document, and more!

Teacher Created Materials offers several free Constitution Day activities, including a worksheet on how we make laws, a Pledge of Allegiance teaching poster, and more. Materials are for PreK to grade 8.

Here’s hoping that your Constitution and Citizenship Day is filled with star-spangled learning!

PS: Just a few days left to enter the contests at LearningMagazine.com. Click here now! Contests end on September 17.

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