Reflections about the words of Peter Johnston and Kathy Collins

Choice Words and Opening Minds are two texts by Peter Johnston I have been perusing while teaching during the last four months. There are so many nuggets of wisdom.  It overwhelms me. (The more I read, the less I am able to track the ideas percolating in my head.)  Last August, I listened to Kathy Collins, at Teachers College. She is equally moved by Peter Johnston's work. As I grow my classroom of first graders and take them into second grade, I am so mindful of the words I am using and the language/literacy laboratory we are growing together.