By Tony Coppola

“Books are the treasured wealth of the world and the fit inheritance of generations and nations.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

One of the many best parts of my teaching day is when I get to read a good book out loud to my class.

I’m an elementary school teacher. I’ve been teaching children how to read for a little over two decades now. If I could do it all over, though, I’d focus even more time and effort on nurturing in children the love of books, stories, and reading. I’d center the culture of my class even more so in literature by way of the read aloud.

In fact, something tells me we could further transform education if we slowed our fast paced teaching days down and read more books to children.

The love of stories and reading, in my opinion, is the most impactful desire related to lifelong learning we can nurture in our selves first, and then in our students.

Upon reflecting on this topic, I’ve decided I think a most powerful tool in my teaching tool bag is the read aloud. I mean, the calmest, most peaceful part of my teaching day is when I’m reading a good book to my students.

As a quick side note, I’ve gotten pretty good at reading out loud. I think it helps me want to be a better writer too. I suggest we all slow down and read something out loud to someone we love every day, as well as spend a little time writing.

Over the years, I’ve noticed that students are engaged in a different way when listening to a good story than when reading a good story on their own. Especially when the readability and content of the book is above the listener’s independent reading level. It appears to free up their minds and imagination as they aren’t also working to understand, or even simply decode, more complex vocabulary. It appears they are able to attend to ideas that expand their metacognition, maybe.

While listening to stories, children are able to stop the reader and ask questions. They engage more deeply and wonder about characters, the meaning of words, understanding experiences they’ve never had, and so much more. They laugh out loud at times, and gasp and clutch each other at other times.

I’ve never second guessed my decision to read a book to my class rather than doing other activities. I don’t think anyone has ever thought or muttered the words, “I think I read too many books to my students.” My gut tells me most teachers think they would read more to their students if they had more time.

If all we did were read and talk about books, we’d be a whole lot better. Anyhow, that’s how I feel at times. Except I also know the impact writing and solving problems has on the heart, mind, and guts of a person.

It’s not about fitting read alouds into our daily schedules, it’s about scheduling the most impactful activities that best support the books we read to our students into our days. Even if the only benefit to a read aloud is to enjoy a story, it’s worth the time. Not much is more kind than reading a book to a child.

Frazzled? Stop and read a book to your students.

Do you want your students to be better readers? Then read to them.

Do you want your students to be better thinkers? Then read to them.

Do you want your students to be better writers? Then read to them.

Do you want your students to be better problem solvers? Then read to them.

Do you want your students to be better citizens? Then read to them.

I love reading aloud. I would argue that nothing is more important than reading aloud to children. It creates culture, bonding, and shared story experiences.

I’m not planning how I’m going to add more technology into my day. I’m planning which books I’m going to read aloud to my class.

Show up and with intention deliver what you know to be most crucial.

While we want children to learn how to read, the ultimate goal of reading aloud isn’t for this purpose. Rather, building relationships.

Reading to students is one of the most impactful ways to nurture relationships with students.

In all that we do as teachers, I believe one of our highest aspirations should be fostering a love for learning. And I think reading to them is the cornerstone to accomplishing this goal.

Stories are what connects all of us together. For younger children hearing stories. For older children too. And young adults. Heck, older adults learn by way of hearing stories, right? Even the scriptures say, “Faith comes by hearing.”

I guess my advice to anyone feeling uncomfortable with reading out loud is to see if you can find a HOME RUN read aloud. Do you know what I mean? Often beginning readers find a book they just love and read it over and over. It’s like finding a first love. It can be the same for reading books to children. Find that first love and read it out loud over and over again.

Reading is the most important area of learning we focus on as teachers. It’s a ludicrous idea to argue otherwise, in my opinion.

What do you think?

By Tony Coppola

“…yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” ~ known, but not by us yet

I’m no quitter, I’ll tell you that.

I’ve been in three fist fights in my life and it’s never been with “a guy my own size.” Nope. All three were with guys bigger and stronger than me. And not only that, even though I was hurt worse than my opponent on two of the occasions, I was not the one to stop the fight on any of them.

I’ve tightly held the attitude that you need to hit a bully square in the mouth. And with as much might as you can muster.

Not only am I no quitter, I’m not afraid of a good fight. Nope again.

There’s something that tells me you and I aren’t too different in this regard. I’d like to proudly think this feisty, combative attitude is unique to us US Americans. But I also think our friends sharing this continent to the north and south of us might have a thing or two to say about that, let alone many others around our ever shrinking globe.

All of us seem to be mastering the art of drawing lines in the sand and righteously fighting for what we believe is right these days. For what we believe is moral, or ethical. And God help those who try and stop us, eh!?!

Have you ever thought about where the idea of drawing a line in the sand originally came from though? Have you heard about the story of the man who drew the first line in the sand?

If you haven’t heard the historical accounts of the event, it’s also where the saying, “ Let those who are without sin among you throw the first stone,” comes from.

When reading through the account (John 8), who in the story do you most identify with? Deep down, do you see yourself like the self-righteous leaders in the community snaringly staging the scene? Do you long to mirror the truly righteous man writing on the ground with his finger, reminding everyone we are just as sinful as anyone else? What about the guy not mentioned but most likely stoically ready to hold the coats like he did when they stoned Stephen to death? Or are you most like the adulterous woman being saved from condemnation?

If you said the man writing on the ground with his finger, drawing a line in the sand, let’s take a little closer look at who He is.

While He was the person to overturn the money tables in the synagogue, He was also the person who was born outside in a manger because nobody had a place for his pregnant mother in the city.

While He had thousands and thousands of followers longing to be fed, He also died alone; His closest friends denying they even knew Him.

He ate with the dregs. He had no home. They tore out His beard and drove a crown of thorns in His head.

They spit on Him and punched Him in the face. They even whipped Him with glass-lined leather straps, tearing the skin off His body.

They hung Him on a tree between two thieves, mocking Him to save himself.

What do you think? Do you still see yourself as the one with enough righteousness to draw lines in the sand?

As much as I want to identify with Him, the truth is I’m more like the other three types in the story. Probably closest to the adulterant woman than I’d openly like to admit.

I have no place drawing lines in the sand, do I?

It seems as though in my feistiness, my natural inclination to fight til the end for what I think is right has turned the original idea of drawing lines in the sand upside down.

He is the one who writes on the ground with his finger and draws lines in the sand for us while we surrender our stones, while we stop holding the coats of those throwing stones, while we walk away free from condemnation.

The heart and the will of that original line drawer is not like mine. Although, I think He wants it to be. I do. I want my heart to be like His. I want to be filled with that kind of love for even the lowest of adulterers … like myself.

I’ve never impacted anyone’s life for better by punching them in the mouth. Essentially throwing stones. I suppose instead of fighting, then, I should surrender.

Surrender my stones and follow His example. Put down the coats and ask for forgiveness. Accept the free gift that wipes away my sins. Do what’s most meaningful rather than what I think is right.

Surrender my will for His.

Surrender.

#OneWord2021

By Tony Coppola

The day’s sun has gone down behind the mountains

A thunderous boom of compassion consumes my soul

Skies darken

Like fiery bolts of lightning, I see broken hearts flash before my eyes

The forgotten; the unseen; the abandoned

Like waves of mercy, my cries crash down in desperation

Choking back tears, I close my eyes and surrender to love filled whispers

Salty streams touch my lips

Stillness, silence, and fire

Darkness and waiting

And then a humble breath of hope enters like dawn’s breeze hovering over waters

A new day is coming

Undeserved grace shines its piercing rays of light onto my face

And by the smallest seeds of faith, mountains are moving

The taste of salt and choking back tears

I’ve done many things I’m not proud of. I’ve said things to people that I’m ashamed of. I’ve had thoughts where I should be convicted as a murderer.

What about you? Can you relate to that at all? If so, how does it feel?

For most of my life I’ve been self consumed. I’ve put myself first. Knowingly or not, I’ve worn blinders to keep my focus on the path before me. Like you, I’ve wanted the best for myself and for my family, and so I’ve dedicated myself to work towards those means.

When I think about the work I’ve done to get where I am today I have very few regrets. In fact, I’m pretty proud of the work I’ve done to get to where I am.

But when I stop for a moment, sit in silence, and meditate on what’s most important in life … all that somehow becomes almost meaningless. The heart of life in those moments has nothing to do with me. My success is nothing. Who I am doesn’t matter so much.

In those moments, Love is all that matters. Loving the one who first loved me and loving people is all that truly matters.

In those moments, it’s crystal clear that loving people is all that truly matters.

Also in those moments, I often ask, “Who am I to love others?” Seriously though, what difference can it make if I love other people? I know who I am. I know what I’ve done. I know the hurtful things I’ve said to people. I know the awful thoughts I have at times. Who am I?

I close my eyes and breathe. “Love other people” is the answer. Love people.

The more I meditate on this, the more I hear that message throughout my days. I see someone looking upset or worried and I hear, “Love people.” I see someone by themselves, or just plain unnoticed by others, and I hear, “Love people.”

It’s a constant whisper in my ear, “Love people.”

I’ve recently started sharing an idea I call 360° of Love, with a hashtag #Love360 to follow. It’s an idea based on the message I hear in those moments of silence, and now throughout my days. It’s a whisper in my ear: Love people.

If you’re here, reading this blog, I’d love to know your thoughts. I’d love to know if this resonates with you. I’d love to know if you hear these same kinds of whispers.

I hope so.

And to be clear, this isn’t about a movement or starting up a “brand” to get noticed. It’s about sharing a message that’s been speaking to me, and then asking if it’s speaking to you too.

I hope it’s speaking to you somehow. I hope it encourages you to take those moments each day to stop and close your eyes, breathe, and listen. I hope it encourages you to see if you also can hear the whispers of love … and also believe.

360° of Love: Listening the Whispers

#Love360

I remember the red brick on the side of the building behind her because it was all I saw when she was gone.

Most likely I was wearing double-knee Toughskins at the time since, as my mom used to say, I liked to walk on my knees. I wasn’t walking on my knees that day, nor in that moment.

In fact, it’s been almost 45 years since that day, but the memory is etched in my mind as if it happened just this morning.

My eyes turned towards the red brick wall when all of a sudden time slowed way down as I saw the blue dress. Her long black hair following.

I could tell she was running fast because of the way her hair and dress flowed behind her. And like I also had power to breath under water, my eyes captured the moment in still life slow motion.

I could see the curve of her chin. And the blue dress motioning. The black hair, so long. So pretty. I looked closer. I could stare forever it seemed. She was running. The blue dress and her hair dancing so perfectly.

Without warning, she was gone.

Red bricks.

No matter where I looked, I knew I would never see the girl in the blue dress again. The perfect girl. My heart ached. I promised myself I wouldn’t let her out of my sight if I saw her again. She made time stand still. Just for me.

My family moved shortly after that. I was at a new school, with a new second grade teacher, and new friends. There were no red brick walls at my new school. I sometimes still looked, but the girl in the blue dress wasn’t there either.

Steam ahead through junior high and high school. Lots of pretty girls. None of them ever quite like the girl in the blue dress. That’s okay. Time doesn’t need to stand still. My powers to breath under water silenced.

I met my wife when we were in high school though. It wasn’t long before I fell in love with her. She was so pretty with her pixie cut. So loving too, the way she gave to others so effortlessly.

I’ll bet the blue dress girl was just a dream, I would think. It didn’t matter anymore. But I still remembered.

Then one day time slowed down for a moment as I noticed a picture on the wall at Debbie’s house. It was so cute. She and her brother must have taken a school picture together. It was obviously an old colorless picture, but still so lovely.

Wait. Debbie has long hair in this picture. And a dress. And as I looked closer, a familiar curve in her chin.

“Debbie?” I ask.

“Are you wearing a blue dress in this picture?” I ask.

Time stands still for me, and I swear I can breath under water.

I want to share a couple routines I’ve been developing in hopes of fostering a culture of readers in my classroom again this year. More than merely teaching standards, I believe every child can develop into a lifelong reader; a lifelong learner.

There’s an idea in one, well maybe most if not all, of Richard Allington’s articles about teaching reading to our most struggling readers. He talks about ensuring that ALL students independently read books they choose, understand, and enjoy. He repeatedly talks about the impact reading with almost 100% accuracy has on learning. Nothing less than 98% does the trick.

When I stop and think about that for a minute I also think about my most struggling readers and how accurately they typically read books from my classroom library, if they choose to read at all. Then I think about the task of matching those students to texts they both enjoy and can understand (read with at least 98% accuracy). How do I take them from pretending to read books their peers are reading to actually reading and understanding books they want to read?

This, for me, is one of the greatest challenges of teaching reading, especially to struggling or non-readers. The last option I should choose as a teacher, according to Allington, is to skip this critical piece of a balanced reading program. Without it, my whole group AND small group skills lessons are a waste of time. Thus, I must make it the foundation of my program. Let me repeat, given the time to only choose one reading activity, I will choose independent reading of self-selected books over every other reading activity EVERY time.

Besides that, I wouldn’t be opposed to fostering a program where students write all day long. Hmm, I’m going to have to think about that. Anyway …

Additionally, Allington repeats that even our most struggling readers make the greatest gains when they read books they choose, understand, and enjoy for at least 15 minutes (an hour would be ideal) EVERY DAY. Again I say, how am I to ensure ALL students in my class are choosing enough books they can read with 98% accuracy so they can read for 60 minutes each day at school? Oh, and they should also be reading at home every day for 60 minutes. Hmm.

For the sake of keeping this post at a manageable length, I’m going to dance around this issue by making an assumption. I’m going to assume that if my students are genuinely enjoying books they’ve chosen to read and can tell me about them with significant detail, making those metacognitive connections I listen for, that they are reading with high enough accuracy to make accelerated growth as a reader.

I say this because the routines I’m about to share do not include traditional fluency testing procedures where I calculate accuracy and rate. I sparingly use them any longer anyhow. But what the routines do, at least for the children in my class this year, is eventually get all students reading books they both enjoy and understand.

The first routine starts with a simple question, which very well could have been the first question I asked my students this year. Smiling and happy, it goes like this, “Raise your hand if you’ve read a good book lately.”

Raise your hand if you’ve read a good book lately.

The first couple of times I asked I needed to extend my normal wait time. It obviously was a question my students weren’t used to hearing, yet. I get many eager hands every time I ask these days. Honestly, I still extend my normal wait time; the more raised hands the better! I ask the whole class at least a couple times a week. I ask individual students about the books they are reading EVERY DAY.

The second step of this routine is just as simple. Call on a student to tell the class about the book. This includes details like 1) the title, 2) a little bit about the book, 3) maybe a favorite part of the book or a connection they’ve made with the book, and 4) how they ended up choosing the book. For example, did a friend recommend it, or is it a book from a series they’ve been reading, etc.? I like to choose a total of three students to share.

The third step is to tell the students they all now have a minute or two to talk to each other about the books they enjoy. Even if all students don’t raise their hand in the beginning, most if not all students will talk about books they enjoy. Notice I didn’t say “books you’ve read.” I am building a reading culture and want to include EVERYONE. I had to be patient. When the timing was right it changed to something like, “Tell each other about a book you’ve been reading lately.” Many of my students have two to seven books in their desks at all times these days. Hopefully that comes across as a small celebration rather than a brag?

That’s it. That’s the first routine. Talking about and sharing books is what we do. Many times while conferencing with students I find out a small group of them are reading a series together. Many tell me it was a friend who recommended the book they are currently reading. All this, and much more, from one simple question. No elaborate planning. Just talking about books because that is what readers do.

…

The second routine I’d like to share is called Sometimes Readers Read Out Loud. The purpose of this activity is to improve or build confidence with reading self-selected books out loud. The fancy name for the skill is Oral Reading Prosody. It’s the most simple way I know how to tell if a student has figured out how to self-select books they can read and understand. This, in conjunction with conferencing.

As you probably already know, prosody is the ability to smoothly read out loud with proper pace, inflection, phrasing, and volume. The reader should sound as if they were the author themselves, paying attention to conventions and the flow of the story.

Prior to introducing this routine we watched several YouTube videos of famous actors reading books on Storyline Online. Along the way we talked about the way they read the stories with so much expression and enthusiasm. I guided them through the elements of prosody so that they were able to start properly labeling what they noticed.

One day, when I felt the timing was right, I simply said, “Sometimes Readers Out loud.” followed by, “Let’s see if we can read our books out loud like the actors.” I told them to pull a book they were enjoying out of their desk and start reading out loud. I told them we would try for five minutes and see how it goes. While students read, I circulate and listen. Each student reads just a bit louder when I get to them. They did great!

The second step is Buddy Reading. Each student gets a chance to listen to their Study Buddy read out loud for two minutes (the time was arbitrarily chosen 🤷‍♂️). I circulate again.

The third step is nomination time. I ask, “Raise your hand if you’d like to nominate your buddy to read to the class for a minute.” So many hands! I make sure to ask the nominated student if they are willing to read to us. So far, all nominees have agreed.

Once the student finishes, we give a polite round of applause and talk about what we noticed. We talk about pace, smoothness, phrasing, expression and volume.

Readers don’t always read out loud, but sometimes they do.

Well, what do you think? Do you think these routines help foster lifelong readers? I feel like they’ve helped get us started on this journey. I also feel like I’ve gone long with this post. If you are still reading, you are a brave soul and deserve a prize of some sort!

One final thought. It’s important to give the benefit of the doubt whenever possible. I know, random.

Thank you for reading! Cheers! Leave a comment if you like.