Lucy Calkins is a renowned educator, author, and professor who has dedicated her life to improving the teaching and learning of reading and writing. She is the Founding Director of the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project at Columbia University, a leading organization that provides professional development and curriculum resources for teachers and schools across the world.
She is also the Robinson Professor in Children’s Literature and the Director of the Literacy Specialist Program at Teachers College. She has written over 40 books and numerous articles on literacy education, and has received many awards and honors for her contributions to the field.
Lucy Calkins Bio/Wiki
| Name | Lucy Calkins |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | 1951 |
| Age | 73 |
| Birth Place | California |
| Citizenship | American |
| Education | Williams College, University of Hartford, New York University |
| Occupation | Educator, Author, Professor |
| Spouse | John Calkins |
| Children | Miles Calkins, Evan Calkins |
| Parents | Evan Calkins, Virginia B. Calkins |
| Awards | NCTE David H. Russell Award, IRA Albert J. Harris Award, NCTE Exemplary Leader Award, Williams College Bicentennial Medal |
Early Life, Birthday and Education
Lucy Calkins was born in 1951 (age: 73 years, as of 2023) in California, where her parents were both medical doctors. She grew up in a family that valued reading and writing, and developed a passion for literature and education from a young age. She attended Williams College, where she majored in liberal arts and graduated in 1973.
She then pursued a master’s degree and a certification in the teaching of reading at the University of Hartford. She later earned her Ph.D. in English education from New York University, where she studied under the guidance of Donald Graves, a pioneer of the writing workshop approach. Her dissertation, published as Lessons from a Child in 1983, was based on her observations of a young writer named Jason, and became a classic text in the field of writing instruction.
Career and Achievements
Lucy Calkins began her career as a teacher in elementary and middle schools, where she experimented with different methods of teaching reading and writing. She joined the faculty of Teachers College, Columbia University in 1981, and founded the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project (TCRWP) in 1984. The TCRWP is a research and development center that aims to help teachers and students become proficient and joyful readers and writers.
The TCRWP offers workshops, conferences, institutes, coaching, and assessment services to thousands of teachers and schools every year. The TCRWP also develops and publishes curriculum materials, such as the Units of Study for Teaching Reading and Writing, which are widely used in classrooms across the country and the world.
Lucy Calkins is also a prolific writer and speaker, who has authored or co-authored over 40 books and numerous articles on literacy education. Some of her most popular and influential books include The Art of Teaching Reading, The Art of Teaching Writing, A Guide to the Common Core Writing Workshop, and A Principal’s Guide to Leadership in the Teaching of Writing.
She has also written books for parents, such as Raising Lifelong Learners: A Parent’s Guide, and books for children, such as Living Between the Lines. She has received many awards and honors for her work, such as the NCTE David H. Russell Award for Distinguished Research in the Teaching of English, the IRA Albert J. Harris Award for Research in Reading and Writing Difficulties, the NCTE Exemplary Leader Award, and the Williams College Bicentennial Medal.
Books
Lucy Calkins is not only a distinguished educator and professor, but also a prolific writer and author. She has written over 40 books and numerous articles on various aspects of literacy education, such as reading, writing, assessment, curriculum, leadership, and parent involvement. Her books and articles are widely read and cited by teachers, researchers, and policymakers around the world. Here are some of her most notable books and articles, along with a brief summary of each:
- Pathways to the Common Core: Accelerating Achievement: This book, co-authored with Mary Ehrenworth and Christopher Lehman, provides a clear and practical guide to implementing the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts. It explains the key shifts and expectations of the standards, and offers strategies and resources for teaching reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language skills. It also addresses the challenges and opportunities of the standards, and how to use them to foster student engagement and achievement.
- The Art of Teaching Reading: This book is a comprehensive and inspiring resource for teaching reading in grades K-8. It covers topics such as developing a reading workshop, choosing and using texts, teaching comprehension, fostering fluency, supporting struggling readers, and assessing and celebrating growth. It also features vignettes and examples from real classrooms, and showcases the voices and perspectives of students and teachers.
- The Art of Teaching Writing: This book is a classic and influential text for teaching writing in grades K-8. It presents the principles and practices of the writing workshop approach, which emphasizes student choice, voice, and ownership of writing. It also covers topics such as conferring, minilessons, genre studies, revision, editing, publishing, and assessment. It also includes examples of student writing and teacher feedback, and reflects on the role of the teacher as a writer and a learner.
- Units of Study for Teaching Reading and Writing: This series, co-authored with various colleagues, provides a comprehensive and coherent curriculum for teaching reading and writing in grades K-8. It consists of several units of study for each grade level, each focusing on a specific genre, skill, or strategy. Each unit of study contains detailed lesson plans, anchor charts, mentor texts, rubrics, and online resources. The series also offers guidance on how to plan, implement, and assess the units of study, and how to differentiate instruction for diverse learners.
- Raising Lifelong Learners: A Parent’s Guide: This book, co-authored with Lydia Bellino, is a helpful and encouraging resource for parents who want to support their children’s literacy development. It offers practical tips and suggestions on how to create a literacy-rich home environment, how to foster a love of reading and writing, how to help with homework, and how to communicate with teachers. It also addresses common questions and concerns that parents may have, and shares stories and insights from other parents and children.
Husband, Kids
Lucy Calkins is married to John Calkins, a lawyer and a former president of the New York City Bar Association. They have two sons, Miles and Evan, who are both successful professionals in their own fields. Miles is a journalist and a writer, who has worked for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The New Yorker. Evan is a filmmaker and a producer, who has worked on documentaries, feature films, and television shows.
Lucy is very proud of her sons and their achievements and often mentions them in her books and speeches. She is also close to her parents, Evan and Virginia Calkins, who are both retired doctors and avid readers and writers.
Social Links
Linkedin- @lucy-calkins-3189238
Lucy Calkins is a remarkable woman who has made a lasting impact on the field of literacy education. She is the founder and director of the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project, a professor at Teachers College, and a prolific author and speaker. She has devoted her life to helping teachers and students become better readers and writers, and to fostering a love of literature and learning. She is also a loving wife, mother, daughter, and friend, who balances her professional and personal roles with grace and humor. She is an inspiration to many educators, parents, and children around the world.
