I looked up from my notebook, as the office door burst open.
“Good news!” she said.
“Oh yeah?” I answered, watching Danielle (not her real name) scurry into my office.
“You’re never going to believe it,” she continued, slumping her enormous backpack down onto a chair.
I felt my lips stretch into a smile. “Okay,” I said, “I’m ready, try me.”
“I read to page 110!” she burst out. Her eyes sparkled, her face beaming.
“Wow, really?!” I said, working hard to try and match her joy and enthusiasm.
“Yeah!”
“Wow, that’s great!” I responded.
“And remember, when I was here last [day before yesterday], I was only on page 20, or something like that.” Fishing in her bag, she pulled out her book: OCDaniel, by Wesley King.
“That’s wonderful,” I said. “Look at you…turning into a reader.”
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Author: Lanny Ball
For more than 29 years, Lanny has taught, coached, presented, staff developed, and consulted within the exciting and enigmatic world of literacy. With unyielding passion and belief in the possibility of workshop teaching, Lanny has worked to support students, teachers, and school administrators around the country in outgrowing themselves as both writers and readers. Working first as a classroom teacher, then as a coach and TCRWP Staff Developer, Lanny is now a literacy specialist, working and living in the great state of Connecticut. Outside of literacy, he enjoys raising his three ambitious young daughters with his wife, and playing the piano. Find him on this blog, as well as on Twitter @LannyBall. Lanny is also a former co-author of a blog dedicated to supporting writing teachers and coaches that maintain classroom writing workshops, twowritingteachers.org.
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LANNY BALL, Literacy Specialist 
That’s all we want. What a celebration!
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Wonderful reading celebration!
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The flip is switched! She proved it to herself. A great moment to be a part of.
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A reader has begun her journey!
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We never know when that moment is going to happen for a reader! I love the randomness of the moment – so much work is happening when we are not with children! Obviously, she has the relationship with you to know the you think it matters. Our profession is rooted in human relationships and this slice captures that!
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So great to celebrate when a student becomes an enthusiastic reader! Danielle (not her real name) has turned a page, literally and figuratively.
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Ha! Love that! Gosh, I hope so.
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I love that she had her book on hand even in that moment – planning for the opportunity to read throughout the day. Living the readerly life for sure!
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Also worth celebrating here: She sought you out to share her good news. Thinking about how important it is for kids to feel known and valued, to experience the joy of having a trusted adult that they want to share news with – that’s exciting!
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Love when that switch is flipped and kids become readers.
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Definitely a celebration!
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