Reading / Teaching / Writing

SOLC: My Day at the Teachers College Saturday Reunion, 2014 Edition

Catherine Flynn13 Comments

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This morning, I left my house at 6:30 and drove to Teachers College at Columbia University for their spring Reading and Writing Project Saturday Reunion. I spent the day with thousands of dedicated teachers soaking up the wisdom of the amazing presenters. Because I am now quite tired, here is my day in pictures.

Diane Ravitch delivering the opening keynote.
Diane Ravitch delivering the opening keynote.

Diane Ravitch’s keynote was a call to arms. Lucy Calkins, in her introduction, described Ravitch as “the single most important defender of public education” and “our hero, inspiring all of us to speak out and tell the truth.

Anna Gratz Cockerille sharing strategies to help children improve their informational writing.
Fellow Slicer Anna Gratz Cockerille sharing strategies to help children improve their informational writing.
Cynthia Satterlee had great advice for helping kids craft personal opinion essays.
Cynthia Satterlee had great advice for helping kids craft personal opinion essays.
Stephanie Harvey shared her wisdom about nonfiction.
Stephanie Harvey reminding teachers that “there’s a difference between thinking and knowledge. We have to teach kids to think so they can acquire and use knowledge.”
Kathleen Tolan describing how to "take an ordinary idea about a character and make it extraordinary."
Kathleen Tolan describing how to “take an ordinary idea about a character and make it extraordinary.”
The wisdom of Kathy Collins: "Children should believe that when they give something to texts, they will get something back from the text."
The wisdom of Kathy Collins: “Children should believe that when they give something to texts, they will get something back from the text.”
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Having coffee with friends and talking about our wonderful day.
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On my way to Brooklyn, my first view of the Freedom Tower.
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The view from Brooklyn.
Dinner with my son and his girlfriend.
Dinner with my son and his girlfriend.

What an amazing day, filled with learning, laughter, family, and friends. Thank to everyone at Teachers College for hosting this amazing event!

Thank you, as always, to Stacey, Tara, Dana, Betsy, Anna, and Beth for hosting the Slice of Life Challenge. Be sure to visit Two Writing Teachers to read more Slice of Life posts.

13 thoughts on “SOLC: My Day at the Teachers College Saturday Reunion, 2014 Edition”

  2. How wonderful to have all those amazing presenters! What a day to be able to take in all that wisdom. And then to end it with being with your son. No wonder you’re tired!

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  8. Thanks, Catherine, for sharing your view of the Spring Saturday Reunion at #tcrwp! Love: 1) that you met some “slicers” in person and 2) that you did also have some “family” time as well!

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  10. It was so great to meet you in person Catherine! It was such a wonderful day. You went to such a great range of workshops. I really wanted to get to see Kathleen’s. She is always incredible. Looks like it was a great night in Brooklyn too. Hope to see you again soon!

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