There was no voicEd Radio show this week. Those that know, know why.
That didn’t stop the curation of great blog posts from Ontario Edubloggers though. Read on!
How to help older students learn how to read:
- Deborah McCallum @Bigideasinedu
- https://bigideasineducation.org/2023/01/03/how-to-help-older-students-learn-how-to-read/
I found this interesting as it combines the work of a great thinker (Deborah) and ChatGPT to address this topic. My first thoughts when I read the title was:
- how could this possibly happen that someone slips through the system and
- how big is this problem
I found the discussion really interesting and the two of them discussed
- Explicit instruction
- Guided reading
- Reading aloud
- Independent reading
- Collaborative reading
- Vocabulary instruction
- Assisting with text decoding
- Promoting a love of reading
The descriptions above really didn’t provide new information for me; your mileage may vary.
The discussion gets deeper with the research from The National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance. There are some ideas to dig into there.
The post is presented so you don’t really know who is writing it – Deborah or ChatGPT but I liked her approach. Sure, you could sit back and let ChatGPT write the post but I liked her use of the topic and the tool to help her with the writing.
This is one of the best, practical leading by example posts that I’ve seen to date. If she hadn’t been open and honest about it, you’d never know that it was a partnership.
#OneWord2023
- Mark Hodgkinson – @Mr_H_Teacher
- https://the50-20.blogspot.com/2023/01/oneword2023.html
A post NOT from Mark as he counts down the top 500 songs. It was a nice and interesting diversion.
In the past, he’s used the one words Revitalize, Mindfulness, Cultivate, Persist, Discomfort, Ameliorate & Appreciate.
This year, he has chosen Vitality and has been very open about how he plans to address it. I got tired and hungry just reading them!
Not only is he open about his plans but he shares a lesson that he uses with students to encourage each of them to find their own one word. We’ve all seen the concept of SMART goals – this is his spin on how to get students to set meaningful goals.

Slice of (21st Century) Life
- Lisa Corbett – @LisaCorbett0261
- https://alotalot.wordpress.com/2023/01/03/slice-of-21st-century-life/
Lisa’s post hit a little too close to home for me.
I’ve had a number of dear friends and colleagues pass or fall incredibly ill recently. I’ll admit that I got a call from a dear friend notifying me of another dear friend last night while in the park walking the dog. I did not take the news well.
In this post, Lisa shares her story that had her “transported 40 years into the past”. Lisa does give us a personal insight into her thoughts and the process of a virtual funeral. Likewise, I had to attend a virtual funeral of a best friend from high school and room mate from university. Funerals are hard at the best of times but when you do it virtually, I find it even worse. At a regular funeral, there is an opportunity to gather with family and friends. At the end of a virtual funeral, there’s just nothing. It just stops.
She closes philosophically about virtual funerals but it’s just not the same and surely there’s got to be a better way to handle them.
In the meantime, I’m sending you a big hug, Lisa.
The Best way to start the New Year with your class!
- Amy Bowker – @amyebowker
- https://amyebowker.com/the-best-way-to-start-the-new-year-with-your-class/
I suspect that everyone was expecting the return to face to face teaching as being an opportunity for teachers and students to shed the awfulness of Covid and get back to being their best in a classroom situation.
I’m hearing stories all over the place about how that hasn’t happened.
A couple of years ago, Amy had created this product for sale through her personal store and has updated it for 2022 and the new reality.
If you’re interested in a little support about hoe to “Be Your Best Self Now”, this might just be what you’re looking for.
Top Gun: Maverick and Authentic School Leadership
- Anthony Perrotta – @aperrottatweets
- https://aperrotta.com/2023/01/08/top-gun-maverick-and-authentic-leadership/
I had to smile a bit as I write this.
I almost didn’t read to the end of this post because it read like a movie review. But, I’m glad that I did stick because the concept of school leadership does come up!
As I think about it, I can think of some who became school leaders and it was all about them. It seemed that getting that leadership role was the ultimate goal.
Then I think of so many who became school leaders and did it well. People would apply to change schools to have this person for a leader. Or, if they were leading a workshop, their sessions were always full and a waiting list. The others, not so much.
A common theme among educators is that 2023 is a year like no other. Strong leadership is needed everywhere if everyone is going to succeed. If you see yourself as a leader or you aspire to be a leader, this is a beautiful read that will make you feel good and will inspire you to do better.
What an interesting collection this week. I loved reading them all and they all inspired various emotions in me. Please click through and see how you feel.
Then, follow these folks on Twitter.
- Deborah McCallum @Bigideasinedu
- Mark Hodgkinson – @Mr_H_Teacher
- Lisa Corbett – @LisaCorbett0261
- Amy Bowker – @amyebowker
- Anthony Perrotta – @aperrottatweets
This is a regular Friday post on doug — off the record. You can check them all out here.