Last week I had the privilege to support a 4th grade classroom as they launched the new Units of Study from Lucy Calkins and to model a few lessons to support Building A Readers Life. It was my second day in the classroom and I had just greeted the kids. As they were settling in on the floor in front of me, I started talking to them about our learning targets of the lesson and how we were going to read a mentor text about an old woman who only named things in her life that she wouldn't outlive. A hand quickly shot up and when called upon asked, " Are you teaching us reading or writing?" When asked more about his thinking, he shared that we had been writing story ideas from their own life to support their realistic fiction writing and this book was doing the same thing. I applauded his thinking and shared that many students don't ever fully bridge the reading and writing connection he just made. It will serve him well as a reader and a writer. This was a powerful connection for a 4th grader and I know his leadership and sharing will support the rest of the class in understanding and learning that takes place when you see the connections between what you are doing as a reader and a writer!