I teach a special reading program, READ 180, that allows for choice in reading. While it isn't my favorite program it is what the district offers kids who are experiencing difficulty in reading. I have my own classroom library of wonderful books that students can additionally choose. I work with some of the most challenging kids in the school as they consider themselves to be academic failures. Unfortunately, the school I currently work in believes in homogenous groupings and these 7th and 8th graders roam from class to class together, without any positive academic role models, and well don't get me started on that. All I can say is it's criminal IMHO!
Right now, I am mandated to spend my time completing practice worksheets, supplied by the district, on editing & revising and DRP strategies. Apparently, our district feels that if we spend the last 6 weeks prior to the test practicing for the test, results will increase. We also have administrators the come around with clipboards making sure you are doing them during your literacy block. Where are these people getting their degrees from? Haven't they read any of the research on reading success. My poor students who have literacy deficiencies are expected to do these stupid mandates. I sit with them daily and complete these worksheets with them so they can finish them. I have modified the material somewhat but they are still too difficult. Unfortunately, this "full court press" (which is what our district calls it) is a waste of precious instructional time. Those students who were engaged in reading books are now learning again to hate reading. It is a battle in futility. I left yesterday hating teaching but that's not it.....I hate what I'm being mandated to do and the kids hate it too and of course, they are much more vocal in their dislikes. HELP! Alice in CT -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Khonyx Sent: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 9:46 PM To: A list for improving literacy with focus on middle grades. Subject: Re: [LIT] "the case for literature" - Nancie Atwell Thanks for forwarding this, Bill. I find it really scary that Literacy needs defending at all, but I can not think of a better defender. I am worried, though. I see movement away from independent books, books selected by the students themselves, and back to packaged programs so that they can ensure that everyone is being taught the same thing at the same time. The goal seems to be better test takers rather than more literate citizens. Well, here's to tomorrow's snow day!:) Another foot on the way... Karen Onyx In a message dated 02/08/10 22:45:14 Eastern Standard Time, [email protected] writes: Hi! A great article in EdWeek (free but requires registration). Of course, my own perspective is, Really?! One has to make a case for literature now?! http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2010/02/10/21atwell_ep.h29.html?r=12565219 80 Take care, Bill Ivey Stoneleigh-Burnham School _______________________________________________ The Literacy Workshop ListServ http://www.literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/lit_literacyworkshop.org. Search the LIT archives at http://snipurl.com/LITArchive _______________________________________________ The Literacy Workshop ListServ http://www.literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/lit_literacyworkshop.org. Search the LIT archives at http://snipurl.com/LITArchive _______________________________________________ The Literacy Workshop ListServ http://www.literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/lit_literacyworkshop.org. Search the LIT archives at http://snipurl.com/LITArchive
