Amy Rasmussen
AMY RASMUSSEN, Blog Administrator/Writer
Advocating for authentic reading and writing instruction in all English classes. We all like choice. We all benefit from communities where we feel validated, encouraged, and compelled to grow. As educators, we all want students to enjoy learning. A workshop pedagogy helps. Many educators make the move to readers-writers workshop for their students who struggle because they know when children are readers they are usually better thinkers and better writers. Often, they are better citizens. Imagine the possibilities if we transform instruction by moving to readers and writers workshop for our proficient and advanced students, too. A workshop, student-centered, inquiry-based pedagogy that allows students to grow into their identities as readers and writers works in ALL classrooms for all students, ELL, G/T, gen ed, honors, and AP. I know. I’ve done it. My hope is that my team and I here at 3TT can help others who are shifting the paradigm, embracing self-selected independent reading, modeling authentic reading and writing practices, and changing the world. One reader and writer at a time. How can we help?
Memberships
National Writing Project / North Star of Texas Writing Project/ National Council of Teachers of English, Chair Nominating Committee 2015-2016 / Texas Council of Teachers of English Language Arts/ North Texas Council of Teachers of English Language Arts, President 2015-2016/International Reading Association
Publications
Rasmussen, Amy, and William Eastman. “An Intervention Change-Up: Investing in Teacher Expertise to Transform Student Learning.” English Journal 107 (2018): 26-32.
Adams, M., Rasmussen, A., & Cato, H. (2011, Summer). An Educational Chop Shop (Nothing Illegal – Just a a Classroom Overhaul): Moving Learning for the Grade to Learning for Life. English in Texas, 41.1, 50-56.
Contact Email amyprasmussen@yahoo.com Twitter @amyrass
Goodreads Amy Rasmussen
All posts by Amy ©Amy Rasmussen, 2011 – 2018
SHANA KARNES, Co-Administrator/Writer
Shana Karnes
Teachers are as diverse as our students. Every member of a classroom community–students AND teachers–has different backgrounds, goals, and hopes. I believe the value of the readers and writers workshop lies in the freedom allowed to both teachers and students in what, why, and how we read and write. Students and teachers in classrooms across the country and across the curriculum deserve to have choice in their literacy experiences, emphasizing trust, independence, and autonomy–traits which will produce outstanding citizens, readers, writers, and thinkers.
Memberships
National Council of Teachers of English / West Virginia Council of Teachers of English / National Writing Project at West Virginia University
Contact Email shanakarnes@gmail.com Twitter @litreader Goodreads Shana Karnes
LISA DENNIS, Co-Administrator/Writer
Lisa Dennis
I have always believed that reading and writing exemplify the study of what it means to be human. When students are able to experience humanity in all its forms, perspectives, time periods, conflicts, and beauty, they grow as both scholars and empathetic human beings. My journey with the workshop model is transforming my career, my classroom, and my connection with kids. It’s been incredible to see that with the freedom workshop affords, students are not only empowered in their study and use of language, but enthusiastic about it as well.
Memberships
National Council of Teachers of English / Conference on English Leadership / Wisconsin Education Association
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Hi, I am Julianne, and I am currently taking one of your workshops. I read about how you had teachers visit your classroom and observe. One teacher asked about having a student come to a reading conference with a question of his or her own. You wrote about finding the book The Fault in Our Stars. You referred to the book as being “tatooed” with sticky notes. I have taught my students to annotate a class set of book with sticky notes in the past. I also immensely desire that all of my students will develop a love of reading for the sake of reading. I also think that teaching a student to annotate is valuable as long as you say we don’t don’t do so “to death.” I acknowledge the danger of that. I remember the first time I bought my brand new college books, not knowing how much cheaper and smarter it was to buy used ones. When my professors told me to highlight in them and write in them, I thought I was going to faint. Once I became comfortable with it; however, I realized how I was connecting with the textbooks and my literature books. I was also majoring in Spanish and Journalism as well as English. Writing in my Spanish novels really helped me. I was wondering if you ever use annotation in the articles you assign if each student receives a copy? When I have my students read the books they have chosen, I do not require any written assignment with it. I just require an amount of time that they read their book Monday through Thursday. I have them do this for the same reason you have your students read; I do it with the hope they will love to read for the sake of reading.
Sincerely,
Julianne
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I find this blog inspirational and helpful. Thank you so much and keep up the great work.
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Hi all,
Apologies. I didn’t mean to do it again, but obviously I am a big admirer of your blog.
As I wish to let others know how much I enjoy reading your blog, I have (re-)nominated you for a Very Inspiring Blogger Award.
You can check out the nomination in my post http://wp.me/p3O5Jj-k4 .
Participation is your choice. If you wish to nominate bloggers who inspire you, the rules are provided there.
Thanks for sharing so much wonderful content on your blog.
Best wishes, Norah.
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Hi,
I have nominated you for The Very Inspirational Blogger Award as I enjoy reading what you have to say about education. You have a lot to inspire other teachers and their students.
You can check out the post in which I made the nomination here: http://wp.me/p3O5Jj-iM
If you wish to pay the compliment forward, go to this post for the rules of participation: http://wp.me/p3O5Jj-hI
Best wishes,
Norah
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