Keri+Bath

**Keri Bath, Second Grade** **Lakeview Elementary, Negaunee Public Schools**


 * Keri Bath** tells parents, “My goal is to make your child want to come to school to want to learn. Your child should have fun.” These are not idle words to pacify parents. Keri has spent years reflecting and refining the process. One turning point came when her principal gave her and her teaching partner PLC time to work on writing units to integrate the Michigan GLEC’s into the science curriculum. Keri’s vision was to put her students in charge of their own literate learning and thinking. How does she accomplish this big goal of teaching?

Every year Keri builds the foundation by modeling the process of choosing an animal to research. Using the gradual release of responsibility instructional model integrated into a workshop format (Pearson & Gallagher, 1983), students observe her process of researching primary and secondary sources. Utilizing nonfiction conventions encountered in her reading, Keri constructs a question of interest and finds information that describes the animal, what it eats and where it lives. They learn step-by-step how graphic organizers help them compile information and how to use these facts to construct an introduction, three main paragraphs, a paragraph with wow facts, and a conclusion. Students spend six weeks researching and writing about an animal of their choice. Published animal reports, riddles, and poetry are shared during Young Authors Day in May at NMU and presented to their kindergarten learning buddies.

Researching media in print or online shows students some of the inevitable trials and errors of learning how to find information. Keri encourages students to be as independent as possible yet structures students for success by collaborating with Title I teachers, aides and parents to help students design a question to investigate and read information.

As students’ knowledge grows they become an “expert” on their animal. This accomplishment inspires endless conversations in the classroom and pleas for more writing time. One of the Keri’s greatest joys as a teacher is to listen to the interaction of students as they converse amongst themselves. “It is hilarious when they suddenly realize another student’s animal is their predator.” she commented. Learning is never an end to itself but another place to learn.”

Keri’s vision of literacy and having fun reflects her practice. Debbie Miller, author of //Teaching With Intention// would agree. She states, “I believe we cannot underestimate the power of our influence. What we choose to say and do in the classroom profoundly affects the ways children view their teacher, themselves, and each other.”


 * Keri Bath,** has been teaching second-grade for twelve years at Lakeview Elementary School, Negaunee Public Schools. Keri was awarded the **2008 MRA Literacy Award** along with **Sandy Bonsell**, a third-grade teacher at Lakeview. Keri and Sandy co-chaired Young Authors and the Upper Peninsula Reading Association together as well as served on the local Marquette/Alger Reading Council Executive Board. Keri is currently serving as co-chair of the UPRA with **Marsha Page**.

By Ann Chappel