CELEBRATE: It's All About That Joy, 'Bout That Joy- 1/24

Ruth Ayers invites us to participate in a Celebrate Link-Up on Saturdays. Click here to see what others are celebrating and maybe join in yourself, too!
                              

This week I celebrate student voice. 

This year our district is administering a phonological assessment on every Kindergartener and 1st grader at three different points in the year. As our school's K-5 literacy coach, I get to administer this assessment along with our fabulous reading staff and teaching assistant. The toughest part of switching to this coaching job has been dealing with how much I miss the  classroom so I love ANY opportunity to work with these K/1 students...it feels like home. Although I miss the classroom, I wouldn't change a thing! This "change" has been such a great opportunity and little did I know, it was where I first met my #OLW15 long before I even knew that was my word. 

Anyways, as I was hanging out with these awesome primary kiddos all week, I couldn't help but think about voice. 

Voice, as in the literal sense. They really do have cute sounding voices!

Voice, as in opportunity. Having the opportunity to sit down with these students 1:1 to listen, really listen to each child's phonological skills. Amazing what that tells us as educators. 

Voice, as in insight. The chatting in between each of my phonological "games" (or that is at least what I told them in an effort to avoid the 'assessment' word) proved to be just as insightful as the actual assessment itself.

Voice, as in direction. Student voice provides us with direction. Yes, we have standards and curriculum maps, but our work is truly guided by student voice.

So, here's to that little reminder (and celebration!) of slowing down and listening, really listening to student voice. It not only provides us with joy, but incredible insight as well.