Hello WinkWorld Readers,

If you are a regular reader of WinkWorld, you know that one of the messages I hope to send is that there is no one way to learn to read. For example, Dawn and Bo learned to read in a totally different way from the way I did. I learned through phonics in 1st grade.  They both read before kindergarten, and I have no idea of how they learned…could it have been all of those books we read during their pre-K years?  Another example of someone learning in a totally different way from how I did was Jonathan, who  puzzled me for years.

I Learned to Read Through Phonics and the Jonathan Story

Wyatt

Wyatt, our oldest grandson, is a third example of not learning  to read through phonics; he was a  sight word  reader with a photographic mind. In the third grade, Wyatt’s mom pulled him out of school for several months because his teacher accepted only one way to learn to read, phonics, which certainly was not his way. As I recall, he laid on the coach and read books for several months before his mom (Dawn) took him back to the little local school.  I remember that no one in the school questioned where he had been.

Click here to read about Wyatt.

Henry

Now, it is a ranch kid, Henry, whose literacy development fascinates me. I have written  about him previously, which is posted below.  Henry lives on a near-by ranch, 45 minutes away, and he is now 9-years-old.

Henry is the only child I know who learned to read through The Profit?

What is The Profit?

The Profit is a newsprint circular of several pages filled with information on cattle sales, new and used tractor and machinery and/or parts, various forms of cattle and  other animal feed sales,  and long charts of specific cattle sales from sale barns. Since Henry was 2- and 3-years old, he has loved it when the mail truck delivered The Profit to their ranch mail box. Through the years, I have been fascinated as Henry’s little pointer finger tried to follow the words and make meaning.  I remember the day when he proudly figured out what “weigh-up” cattle sold for at the Phillip Livestock sales barn. Many don’t know what a “weigh-up” cow is, but for Henry, it is compelling reading.

Henry is the only kid I know, who learned to read from The Profit.  He continues to read it now, but I note that he is  expanding his genre to include chapter books. Hank, the Cow Dog is his personal favorite.

Of course, Henry is now a “Just-one-more-chapter-please-kid.”

Below is a previous post I did on Henry and “junk reading.”

Summary

One size does not fit all.  There is NO one way to learn to read.

There are many ways to learn to read.

Even though I learned to read through phonics, that does not mean it is the only way.

And for the Academics Who Follow WinkWorld

Many think that phonics is the ONLY way to learn to read, but there are many ways.  Professor Emeritus, Stephen D. Krashen reminds us (in personal communication, May 20, 2023)

There are too many rules and many are very complicated with numerous exceptions. Children acquire many and probably most phonics rules by reading.

Krashen, S. and McQuillan, J. 202o. The case for acquired phonics. Language Magazine. https://bit.ly/Acquired-Phonics

Dear WinkWorld Readers,

Recently, Dawn Wink posted a blog about quilts on her blog, DewDrops, and this led me to want to share some of my quilts. Of course, quilts led me to stories, and stories led me to books.  This WinkWorld gets a little long, but if you like quilts, stories, books, and pretty colors, you will enjoy this one.

Quilters everywhere are really storytellers.  I am not a quilter, but I, too, see a story in every quilt.  For example, here are three quilts which hang on our bedroom walls, and I will tell you three little stories.

The quilter of this horse is a dear friend, Gloria Traversie of Faith, SD.  She belongs to group of quilters who call themselves, the Prairie Strippers.  Gloria is over 90 years-old and still quilting.

This quilt was given to me by former grad students when I retired from Cal State.  They said that they spent a year deciding on the color and design before they took their own sewing machines during a long weekend and rented a cabin in the Sierras and created this work of art. 

As they said to me, “Joan, look at how each star is unique.  That is because that is how you made us feel.”  How I love this quilt and those memories!

Below are two more good books for kids and all of us.

The Quilt Story by Tomie dePaola

The Patchwork Quilt by Valerie Flournoy

This gorgeous quilt was made for me by my dear colleague/friend, Steph Paterson, when I was sick. As Dr. Paterson said when she gave it to me, “I chose these red hot colors because that is how you were fighting the cancer.” I continue to take strength from the quilt and that memory.

Here are two more great books about quilts.  Great stories for kids and for me.

Who’s Under Grandma’s Quilt by Rachel Waterstone

The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco

After posting some photos of quilts on Facebook, the stories came pouring into my newsfeed.  My friend/cousin, Missy, reminded me of a book we both love.

The Quiltmakers Gift by Jeff Brumbeau.

Diane Kindt, has been my BFF from kindergarten until high school graduation, and now in this chapter of life, we are back and living near each other.  Such a blessing for us.  She and a group of women friends, in their small town of Mobridge are consistently very active in seeing a problem and fixing a problem.  Much of their giving is done locally, but they also give globally. 

Two examples follow: they make quilts and small knitted/crocheted prayer shawls to give to people who are in need. If you hear of a family suffering from a major disaster, chances are that quilts from this group of women are on their way to warm a family.  On the local level, the group simply keeps their eyes and ears open for families in need.  The prayer shawls are available for the asking.  This group has shared through the US and abroad.

In the photo below, the quilts from last year are displayed in Diane’s church.  The quilts are hanging on the back of the pews.

So, how many quilts and prayer shawls did they make in 2020?

For example, here is a church family in FL after the hurricane in which most families had lost every thing. In the photo below, they are receiving their quilts from Diane and friends in SD.

In addition to these hundreds of quilts which the women make and give away to those in need, they also knit and/or crochet prayer shawls and send to anyone in need who requests them.  See Trinity Lutheran Church of Mobridge SD and/or Diane Kindt on Facebook.  I have a soft cuddly lemon yellow shawl, and Wink has a gentle tan one, which Diane gave us when we were each fighting cancer.  I recently requested a candy apple shawl for my dear Cuzzin’ Jessie, as she was certainly a Red Hot Mama.  The last time I saw Jessie alive, she was covered with the shawl, and we were all cuddled around her on her bed.  Another treasured memory.

Thank you!

Here is another great books for all of us.

The Patchwork Quilt: A Quilt Map to Freedom by Bettye Stroud

Rose Kauhne is another friend from Mobridge high school days, and I enjoy following her quilting.  More recently I noted her small patchworks of what is called meditative stitching.  As Rose explained it to me,

I came across the stitch Meditation group of Facebook and decided to join in. The basis was to make a small (4X4”) textile collage using small scraps of fabrics and odds and ends stitched together by hand with thread, in a small amount of time, without much thought to the design or trying to make perfect stitches. That seemed easy enough and Lord knows I had plenty of raw materials to work with. So, I made one and was hooked. 

The only rule was once you added a stitch you could not take it out. Of course, you could cover it up! We made these small enough that you could finish it in a single setting and pack it in a small bag and take it with you, traveling, to the doctor’s office, waiting in line for something. It was fun. I was finding all sorts of small bits of things such as crocheted butterflies, small embroideries I made years ago that were never utilized, things I could use to enhance these small wonders. In 2018 I made 17. In 2019 I made 117. 

If you want to read more about her stitching, click here: The Rose Journal

The quilt (below) tells the story of my high school girlfriends (Mobridge High School, 1962), but we all have known each other since kindergarten.

I always love the surprises found in quilts–like this fuchsia patch in the middle of all of the black, turquoise, red, and white.  Sort of like the surprises in life.

In the photo above you see Mobridge High School friends, who gifted me that gorgeous quilt. Thank you Toots, Tiny, Diane, and Runny.  Below are more Mobridge friends when Donna Wessel Durrant hosted us.

Let me close with something which is not a quilt, nor a book, but I am sure there is a story somewhere in this image.  I recently learned that there is another WinkWorld in Las Vegas, created by someone named Chris Wink.  Do you imagine that he would like to also see our WinkWorld?

Dear WinkWorld Readers,

Families and teachers: This one is for you!  Jeff McQuillan, thank you for telling the story of literacy so well.  Jeff is a Senior Research Associate with the Center for Educational Development, and he had a great teacher before that–No, not me.  This super story of literacy was published in the LA Times, August 16, 2019.

https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/books/story/2019-08-15/how-to-help-your-child-become-an-avid-reader

Below here is the same article  which I copied from Jeff’s blog, Backseat Linguist.

How Kids Become Readers Posted: 19 Aug 2019 09:27 AM PDT Just published in the Los Angeles Times August 18, 2019: Some parents fear that their child may “fall behind” in learning to read. But there is no evidence that learning to read, or reaching a given reading level, must be done by a certain age to succeed in school. It is true that students who have difficulties in reading at an early age often have problems later in their school years. But this is not because learning to read by 9 (or 19 or 90) is required to become a good reader later on. Children can make rapid progress in reading under the right conditions. It’s never too late to become a good reader. So instead of worrying about at what age your children learn to read, focus on getting them hooked on books. In fact, get them addicted to reading. Once they fall in love with books (or magazines or comic books), they’ll want to read more all on their own. And doing a lot of reading is the key to progress. How do you help your child become an avid reader? Here are a few tips to make that happen. Start by reading to your children when they are young. Reading aloud can be done from the time they’re infants. Even after your kids learn to read, continue reading to them. Older children also like to be read to. It motivates them to read more on their own. Make sure kids have lots of books to choose from. Take them to the public library to pick out their own books and encourage them to use the school library. If they don’t like a book, put it aside and help them find another one. Sometimes it takes a while to find books that really click with children. Once you do, however, your children will be on their way to becoming better readers for life. Reading is its own reward, so there’s no need to bribe your child to read. Kids with the right books will fall in love with reading. Give it time.

Susan Henley Spreitzer, thank you for sharing your Scruffy Bear, who, I see,  is cooling off by the pool with a good book.  Susan, not only created Scruffy, but she also helps me keep my webpage and blog up and running smoothly.  Susan can be found at ExcellentWebs.com

Extra Credit: What book is Scruffy reading?

Dear WinkWorld Readers,

I confess, I am a podcast nerd.  I have been planning to share with you some of the podcasts, which I listen to regularly, but the purpose of this WinkWorld is to share only one of them with you: “Check This Out With Ryan and Brian” available from iTunes – Apple, Stitcher Radio, Google Play, and any place where podcasts can be found.

It focuses on innovation and all-things-education for teachers. Brian Briggs and Ryan O’Donnell are the two teachers, who created and operate this podcast. Brian and Ryan strike me as energetic and passionate teachers and learners–who also are very hip.  Meet Ryan and Brian.

I have never met Ryan, but I have known Brian since our Davis, CA days when Bo, our son, and Bryan were teeny-bopper best buddies. Meet Bo and Brian in junior high school, when Bo was running for a class office.

Later Brian was in the teacher credential program at California State University, Stanislaus where I taught.  I continue to stay connected with him, as we do share an interest in all-things-education.

I am honored that Brian shared on the podcast his perspectives on our many connections. In the following podcast on gratitude, (Giving Thanks #97 episode), they are discussing the importance of gratitude and reaching out to others who have touched your life. Brian mentioned a high school teacher, Don Harman 10 minutes into the podcast, and me, 16 minutes into the podcast.

If you want to listen to this podcast, click here.

 #PodcastEDU 

Ryan and Brian discuss how gratitude changes you and your brain. 

Brian and Ryan know that students are changing, and that educators need to change with them.  Their work is free professional development on innovation in teaching with technology.  They recognize that some teachers welcome change, and others are more cautious.  They also are aware that the majority of teachers are somewhere between those two extremes.  

I know that Brian and Ryan are very involved with Cue.org which is a nonprofit community of connected educators focused on improving education for all learners in CA and NV.  If you do not live in those two states, do not worry, as I follow them online.  Their goal is to inspire innovative educators.

Fall Cue 2018 

The Biggest Little Conference on the West Coast 

In this podcast, Ryan and Brian, are reminding us to reach out and tell someone how much we appreciate them.  I appreciate each of you taking time to read my musings.

Dear WinkWorld,

Readers, you know that my blog tends to be whatever is hanging out on my desktop or in my head. I am very interested in teaching, learning, languages, cultures, literacies, stories, and people: Mostly people–for example, Kelly.

I am fascinated by the lives of modern young women who live  on isolated ranches. In this issue of WinkWorld, I will tell you a little about one young woman, Kelly, whose life is reflective in many ways of how other young rancher women live. They seem to live in 2 different worlds or 2 different centuries.  I see that some of their challenges are not too different from those of my Grandma Grace, who homesteaded this ranch where we live. And, other times, I see these young women on social media on their phones, and I am amazed at their skills.

I remember several years ago, when Kelly’s clothes dryer stopped working. She had small children playing outside in the dirt, a husband whose clothes were often covered with dirt, manure, and wheat shaft, and there was no one around who could help her. So, she jumped on YouTube and figured out what the problem was and learned how to fix it.  Soon, her dryer was whirling again.  I know many people solve problems this way today, but Kelly was the first person I saw do it.   Now, I am convinced that she can, and often does, learn any skill needed by getting on the internet. For example, recently I know she learned how to make butter with cow’s milk and how to give an IV to a sick cow by watching YouTube.   

On the surface, this might appear to be a blog post only for prairie people, but I think this story is really for my friends, who live in cities, and have no idea about country life.  Many in cities have romanticized, nostalgic notions of life on a ranch, which have nothing to do with the reality of some of these young rancher women.

Meet my friend, Kelly.

Meet Kelly’s 5 kids. (and, yes, I am  crazy about each of them)

Kelly loves her family and her wild assortment of pets which include:

1 pony, Apple, 19 years old; 8 goats Richard, Mavis, Sheila, White Momma, Black Momma, and Luna + 2 baby  goats without names; 3 dogs, Gus, Bruce, Bodie; 3 cats, Henry’s Cat, Kinley’s Cat, and Casper; 12 chickens; 5 ducks (one duck only has one eye, because the other peck her, so she lives with the pigs);  2 potbelly pigs, Frank and Daddy; 1 nurse cow, Janice (who presently has 2 bum calves on her), plus she is pregnant; and 80 pregnant cows.  Kelly, Jesse (her husband), and their 5 kids spend many hours each day just feeding and caring for the various animals.  Their kids think that mom has her very own petting zoo.

Meet Henry spending quality time with one of his pets.

Kimber is soothing the mama milk cow, Carol.  Sadly, Carol died later of milk fever.

Here is Kelly with Janice, obviously another nurse cow who accepts the bums. Bum calves are those whose mama did not make it through birthing in a blizzard.

Recently, I noticed that Kelly and her two little boys had stopped at our Little Free Library. Incidentally, their ranch is 40 miles from ours.  This is considered all part of the community on the rural prairies.  She had to hurry home as she had a calf, who had lost its mama, in the back seat of her Blazer.  

Below, you will see Kelly with a calf in her car.  When a mama cow loses her baby, Kelly jumps in her car and drives 100 miles (one way) to pick up a calf, who has lost its mama in birth.  Kelly takes the new little bum calf home and skins the hide from the dead calf, and ties it on the new calf.  By doing this, the mama cow thinks the new calf is really the calf which she birthed and will then accept the new calf. Without that smelly hide, the mama cow would reject a new calf.  

Henry and Holden at our Little Free Library (LFL).

Here is Holden reading later that evening.

Here is Kelly oldest daughter, Kodi, dancing at the spring prom with her dad, Jesse, for the father/daughter dance.

Here are all 5 kids watching a movie.

Kelly loves her family, and when I read the following study about the benefits of hugging babies, I thought immediately of her.  Based on this study, and what I have seen, it is safe to guess that Kelly’s kids are very smart.

Study reveals: The more you hug your kids, the more their brains develop

Of course, the real story of Kelly is not what I am writing, but rather what I am not writing.  Her real story is hidden between my lines.  Maybe one day, she will tell her own story.  If we don’t tell our stories, they die.

Dear WinkWorld Readers,

So yesterday morning, I got up to this surprise on my Facebook (FB) feed. 

#speechless #humbled  

And, I know now that she will begin a series of posts on my book.  How lucky am I? 

FB Friends, forgive the double-post, but I have a lot of WinkWorld readers, who are not on FB.

Happy Reading Dawn’s blog, Dewdrops.

Click here.

Dear WinkWorld Readers,

We, prairie people, get really excited about hummingbirds, and with all of the news of the Tucson Festival of Books, I forgot to tell you that I found a nest right outside of my room on a branch at eye level.  At first the mama hummingbird would immediately fly away, but now she is doing some serious nesting, and will let me get within a foot of her before she flits away.

Here is the nest from below.

Here are the eggs in the nest.

And, we wait….

Welcome to the World: Two baby hummingbirds.  And, the feeding has begun with a flurry.

Dear WinkWorld Readers, I am often asked what I read. Here are a few blogs and books, which I am presently enjoying.

BLOGS:

Brain Pickings

Cloaking Inequity

The Treasure Hunter

Mercedes Schneider

Two  Writing Teachers

Russ on Reading

Maestra Teacher

Forever in First

Diane Ravitch

Stephen D. Krashen

Alfie Kohn

Dawn Wink

Here is a listing of the Top Blogs on Education.

http://blog.feedspot.com/2015/12/30/top-50-education-blogs-for-educators-and-teachers/

BOOKS:

Here are 3 books, which I am reading right now.

Here is a picture of recent books, which I have enjoyed.