Mrs. Jennifer Griffith

Mother of two wonderful boys, wife to an amazing husband, proud Berkley teacher and lover of all things related to literacy.

[Jason Reynolds News @JasonReynolds83]

Thank you!

[Nell K. Duke @nellkduke]

💓

[Nell K. Duke @nellkduke]

🗨️High-quality discussion is high-leverage!🗨️
Research finds that there are specific ways of facilitating discussions with students that contribute to reading comprehension growth. Learn more with #KnowledgeMatters.

https://t.co/iBenAJEnSf

[Wiley Blevins, EdD @wbny]

It’s been a rough start to the school year in NYC so I’m reposting this. It’s in the application where the learning sticks. I’m seeing lots of 40-min lessons where sts read and write less than 5 words. That doesn’t work. Implementing a flawed program w/ fidelity ensures failure.

[TeacherGoals @teachergoals]

Important reminder.

[𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 @DrBradJohnson]

Teachers' well-being matters!

[Help A Teacher @HelpATeacher]

Do you agree?

[ShelfieTalk @ShelfieTalk]

A MUST SEE! The ABCs of Book Banning is an Oscar-nominated short documentary addressing the growing number of book bans at schools. Filmmaker Sheila Nevins explains why she focused on the kids affected by the bans, & what they had to say. https://t.co/ZMbN6M0qDY

[Help A Teacher @HelpATeacher]

Reading counts! 📚

[Helen Proulx @HelenProulx2]

@PamelaSnow2 Running Records are an invaluable formative assessment that help countless educators capture reading behaviours in a systematic, & standard during the reading of any text. Analysis of Running Records allow Ts to uncover strengths & determine what Ss need to learn next.

[Elizabeth Reenstra @GuidingLiteracy]

“Neglecting writing instruction is leaving money on the table. There is clear and consistent evidence that writing instruction has some of the largest impacts on reading comprehension and in education more broadly.” @TruckTrucks https://t.co/Ib2u4OknOc

[Jarrett Lerner @Jarrett_Lerner]

Support your public library! Whether you realize it or not, they support you. 💛

[Nell K. Duke @nellkduke]

➡️Are you in the midst of planning March is Reading Month activities? Alessandra Ward and I published an article called "Every Month Should Be Reading Month." Below are key points from the article. https://t.co/VRsodisvEq

[Mrs. Jennifer Griffith @JenLitCoach]

What a great day of learning on Day 3 Small Group Series with Cohort 3! Teachers dug deep into EP 3, reviewed information by playing Kahoot, and then taught TWO different types of small groups to their students!

@BerkleySchools #Berkleydifference

[Help A Teacher @HelpATeacher]

What would you add?

[Dr. Bryan Pearlman #MaslowBeforeBloom @DrP_Principal]

What Is A Ruckus?
My secretary called and said there was a ruckus in the front hallway. I was really excited to see what was going on. I wanted to know what a ruckus was. I learned that a ruckus was a small boy I hadn’t net yet. The ruckus was ripping our bulletin board off the wall, knocking over a table and cursing.

He turned around & said, “What the F--- are you looking at?” He continued, “You’re fat, bald, and stupid.” I responded with, “You seem to be upset. What do you need? How can I help?” He moved a step closer to me and said, “Are you deaf, too? I just said you’re fat, bald, and stupid.”

My response was, “I heard you just fine. Now I really can tell you are upset. What do you need? How can I help you?” He started crying while re-stating for the 3rd time (in case I missed the other two times), “You’re fat, bald, and stupid.” He then said, “I hate this stupid school; I don’t know why I’m here. I don’t know where my mom is. I hate my foster family.“

He reached his arms out. I asked if he needed a hug and he nodded. I then asked if he wanted to go to my office. He nodded. I let him know that “Dr. P” is here if he needs anything. He sat at my table and put his head down.

He looked me in the eyes and said, “Dr. P, I’m very sorry for everything that I did. I just miss my mom.” I responded by telling him that I appreciate his apology and that I accept it. He then said, “I am also really sorry for calling you those mean things. I didn’t mean it.”

We brainstormed some ideas of what he could do in the future if he was having a tough day. He suggested that he could ask to get a drink, ask for help, or just put his head down. I let him know that these are great strategies. I added that he could always ask to see the counselor or me.

We then discussed how he could be on the lookout for signs that he was getting upset, frustrated, angry, or agitated. He said that he sometimes started to clinch his fists and his breathing changed. I told him that those were good signs and that the body often gives us signs that we are starting to get upset. We both agreed that it was so important to listen to our bodies.

He asked if he could get his backpack and coat. I thought that was an unusual request for 10 a.m. I asked him why he would need his backpack and coat. He replied, “Because I’m going to get suspended like I did at my last school.” I let him know that there may be another plan. He scrunched his face and looked puzzled.

I asked, “How do you think you could fix what you did this morning?” He thought about it for a minute or so and responded with, “I can pick-up what I threw and fix anything that I broke.” I let him know that this seemed like a good plan. He picked up the items that he threw and helped put the bulletin board back on the wall.

I went over the plan for the next time and we made sure he knew what to do in case he got upset, frustrated, angry or agitated again. I said, “Since we’ve agreed on the plan, let’s shake on it to make it official.” He reached out his hand and shook mine. I let him know that he could go back to class. He picked up his bookbag and his jacket and started off to his class. I called his teacher to let him know that he was on his way. His teacher was so happy to welcome him back to class. I never had another problem with him.

A teacher stopped by later that day. She couldn’t understand why he wasn’t suspended. “He called you fat, bald, and stupid.” My response was that it never was about me. I then asked the teacher if any of the comments were false. She looked at me like I was crazy. I let her know that I am fat and bald. Those were both true statements. I also argued that stupid is a relative term. She didn’t like my answer.

How do you deal with colleagues who are fixed mindset, focused on punitive methods or who believe that alternatives to suspensions equate to being soft on discipline?

From the book “Maslow Before Bloom: Basic Human Needs Before Academics”
(https://t.co/tjE4RSQvhd)

[Jessica Malone Grider @mrs_g_rider]

I forgot to post these on main. Here are the most checked out books from my school's library in 2023, you know, if you're curious what the teens are reading.