I recently read and thoroughly enjoyed, Cyclone, a middle grade book by Doreen Cronin (she of Click Clack Moo: Cows that Type plus a slew of others). And since it’s the 21st century, when I was done, I went to her blog to see what she had to say. This sentence from her reflection on writing Cyclone, has given me pause:
“My wish is that readers think about words – which ones limit them and which ones are opportunities; which ones define them and which ones they might want to let go of.”
How’s that for a challenge?
I was reminded again how word choice matters when I attended a one day conference on books and reading. The morning keynote speaker, Annie Ward, is the assistant superintendent for the Mamaroneck Public Schools*. She, along with Stephanie Harvey co-wrote the book, From Striving to Thriving: How to Grow Confident, Capable Readers.
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| dictionary.com |
How great a word is striving? Not struggling, not in need of intervention. Striving.
This isn’t just about students or kids, though. Think about this - I often describe myself as struggling to lose weight but if I change struggling to, “I am striving to lose weight,” people around me (hopefully) will also shift their thinking. Weight loss becomes less about what I’m not doing and more about what I am doing.
Struggling limits. Striving provides opportunities.
Words matter.
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*For those of you who believe in signs: the conference I mentioned was on July 19th, what would have been my Dad’s 92nd birthday. When I heard about it back in March I hemmed and hawed about going but a very wise colleague said, “We’re going. It’s a perfect way to celebrate your dad, the teacher.”
The conference was a whole day of book and reading love. Annie Ward, the aforementioned keynote speaker, works in MAMARONECK - the district where Wally was the first male elementary school teacher, the district where he was an assistant principal and later a principal. He was beloved.
At the end of the day I did something, a bit un-Amy like and decided to introduce myself at the book signing. I explained who dad was, his many roles in the district, how we had just awarded the first Walter Coupe Scholarships to MHS seniors and how happy I was I decided to spend his 92nd birthday at the conference, that he would have loved her message. It was a delightful conversation. Annie Ward could not have been more gracious.
That Pops, he is the gift that keeps on giving.
LIFE IS RANDOM LOVE IS NOTTM
