In these uncertain, tumultuous times, where some leaders are sowing division and spreading fear, we must do right by our students and show up for them and continue to lead with love. We must do everything we can to support every single student in our classroom as well as each other. We are here for you as you continue reading all the books, having deep discussions, and molding the hearts and minds of our children.
With love and gratitude,
Chandra, Colleen, Chrissy, and Gaby
February 5: Rolling Resource Center & Feeding America: Free food and books for families.
12:00 - Munising Wesleyan Church
February 6: K-12 ELA Curriculum Committee: 9:00-3:00
NEW MEMBERS WELCOME!!! Join our dream team and the important work and conversations.
February 7: Literacy Leadership Network: , 9:00-3:00 Register HERE!
February 12: Classroom Library Enhancement Network: 4:30-7:30 @ PWPL
February 26: Rolling Resource Center & Feeding America: Free food and books for families.
12:00 - KI Sawyer
March 7: UP Early Childhood Conference: @ NMU
March 10: New Teacher Network: 4:30-7:30 Register HERE!
March 14: LETRS Work Session at Marquette-Alger RESA, 9:00-3:00, Register HERE!
March 17 & 18: NMU UNITED Conference: - FREE for ALL! This year’s conference theme is Voices of the Earth: Learning, Leading, and Advancing Equity Together. Learn more and Register Here.
April 11: PreK-K Transition Professional Development: PD for all PreK and K teachers: 8:30-11:30 Marquette-Alger RESA Learn more and register HERE!
Join our Facebook Community!
Information and Updates
This dyslexia bill was signed into law on October 10th.
Here is a summary and timeline of the requirements.
MDE Dyslexia handbook: Provides comprehensive guidance on MTSS implementation, including strategies for Tier 2 interventions.
Dyslexia Truths vs. Myths Slideshow
Thank you to all those that were able to attend the 2025 Dyslexia Summit watch party!
We had 11 of our 13 districts in attendance. We are so appreciative of your commitment to advancing literacy through an MTSS approach so we are able to meet the needs of all the brilliant students we are so lucky to serve. For those unable to attend, please take some time to check out our 2025 Dyslexia Summit Landing Page that has session presentations, resources, and important information. If you have any questions, please reach out.
For the love of books, this month we'll highlight Essential Instructional Practice #8
"Abundant Reading Material in Classrooms and School Libraries AND Reading Opportunities in the Classroom"
The classroom includes:
📚a wide range of books and other texts (print, audio, video, and digital), including information books, poetry, and storybooks that children are supported in physically accessing (rather than being hidden away) that portray groups of people in ways that are multidimensional, not monolithic, and that challenge stereotypes
👳🏻♀️👩🏻❤️👩🏻books and other materials connected to children’s interests, including texts that reflect children’s backgrounds and cultural experiences, texts that reflect the backgrounds and cultural experiences of others, and texts that incorporate both, including class- and child-made books
💻teacher-supported access to books from the classroom, school, and/or public library that children can borrow to bring home and/or access digitally
💡comfortable places in which to read books, frequently visited by the teacher(s) and adult volunteers recruited to the classroom in order to support and encourage children’s engagement with texts
💙📖opportunities for children to engage in the reading of materials of their choice every day, with supports that include: a) instruction and coaching in how to select texts, b) instruction and coaching in employing productive strategies during reading, c) feedback on children’s reading, and d) post-reading response activities, including text discussion
How are you doing bringing this essential to life? How can we help? Thank you for ALL you do to instill a LOVE of reading every single day!
Finally! after a long wait for a tool to replace Jamboard I think I found my favorite. I've been using a tool called Markify https://markifyapp.com/ Markify is a tool that serves not only as a digital whiteboard, it is a collaborative space that is shared in real time. Anything added to the board will inmediately be available on the students screens. Simplicity is the key here, not a lot of distractions and a lot of functionality.
I hope you find it useful!
If you are already using Padlet and love it, did you hear about their graphic organizers collection? It is really nice, full of useful templates! Nee a ruled background? dot grid? grid? How about a timeline, brainstorming web? I know that it only lets you have 3 for free but most teachers use them, export as image or PDF for keeping and reset.
Helping Students to Build a Positive Math Identity
Chrissy recently had the opportunity to talk with Walt on Sunny 101.9's Morning Show. During the interview, she had the chance to talk about some of the projects she's working on in local schools. In addition, she shared ways to get your students to have fun while engaging in activities that are associated with math. Check out the short interview here!
Showing kids how math is applicable to real-life is an easy way to catch their interest. Here are some activities you can do at home or in the classroom to show how math can be fun and relevant!
- Playing board games
- Playing cards
- Counting change/money
- Baking/cooking together (with measuring cups)
- Calculating gas mileage and cost per mile
- Estimating the tip you would give at a restaurant
Here are some ways that teachers can promote a positive math identity in their classrooms.
- Foster a growth mindset
- Turn mistakes into learning opportunities
- Praise effort rather than correct answers
- Encourage your students to ask questions
- Believe that all students are mathematicians
- Provide constructive feedback to support progress
- Create an environment where students feel comfortable taking risks
- Model and encourage students to try different strategies without fear of failure
Our Traditions Are Important
"Something very magical happens in those classrooms where skilled and caring adults who celebrate diversity are committed to truly inclusive teaching and learning." --Richardson-Gibbs
For generations, traditions have always been a part of culture that is celebrated, carried on, and enjoyed together with those you love. Therefore, the importance of the traditions we practice regarding our culture cannot go unnoticed. This month, we celebrate all of the incredible events and celebrations different cultures have created throughout their history, and how these traditions are a large part of what feels like family, love, and comfort to students. Let's help students celebrate these heirlooms of their cultures!
And, although we should be honoring and celebrating all voices and stories all year long, February is Black History Month, so be sure to shine an extra bright light on the genius, resilience, and joy of black and brown stories that have shaped our country into what it is today.
1. Incorporate inspiring read alouds - not just about the typical stories of struggle and adversity
Black History Month Read Aloud Playlist on YouTube (There are 42 stories to choose from!!)
2. Create a Book Display - after each reach aloud, have students design new book covers and write a quick summary of why they loved the book
3. Engage in Research Projects - take time to learn about famous black inventors, scientists, educators, athletes, scholars, change-makers
4. Listen to black poets/singers - and have kids write their own
5. Design a quote wall - have students write down their favorite lines from all the stories and songs you listen to (individual or collective)
Trauma-Informed Strategies to Support You and Your Students
As educators and school leaders, we witness every day how trauma shapes the lives of our students and impacts our school communities. When left unaddressed, trauma can create barriers to learning, leading to behavioral challenges and mental health struggles that affect everyone in the classroom.
But there’s hope. By implementing trauma-informed strategies, we can create classrooms where students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.
In this recorded webinar, created in partnership with Lakeshore Learning, you’ll gain access to practical trauma-informed mindfulness and SEL strategies to foster a safe, connected, and thriving classroom environment.
Here’s what you’ll gain:
- Understand Trauma: Learn how trauma affects educators, students, and school communities.
- Mindfulness & SEL Benefits: Discover research-backed strategies that improve behavior, engagement, and resilience.
- Practical Strategies: Master 8 actionable mindfulness and SEL techniques, complete with tips for seamless classroom implementation.
- Build Resilience: Empower your students—and yourself—to navigate challenges with confidence and connection.
Caboose vs. Silly Goose Caboose
My wife, Brooke, a preschool teacher with a big heart and high tolerance for messes told me that her 4 yr old students were struggling with line order, ie. who's in the front of the line and who is last. Often the first person in line is called the line leader and the last person is called the caboose. Guess what?
NO ONE wanted to be caboose and sometimes students would cry, etc.
So she rebranded this important position as the "Silly Goose Caboose". And miraculously, this once hated job was now coveted by all her little people.
No stickers, special dances, or candies were introduced into the equation. She just called it by a different name. She added two words. She made it silly and the change was simple.
And in the marketing world, we call this a rebrand.
This "Silly Goose Caboose" revelation has me fascinated, *|FNAME|*. I'm curious, what other classroom challenges do you think could benefit from this kind of low-effort solution?
Not a data dig or a 5-step program.
Something simple.
Cheers,
Buff
Brian Buffington