I am SOOOOO lucky to be teaching in the same school as Sandi this year. We had both left our district (different years) and are now back. I am teaching second grade this year. First time for me.
Sandi has been gracious in inviting me in to her room to observe and learn from her. I have over half my class reading at about beginning to mid-first grade level so in actuality I am teaching first grade as well as second grade. And BOY am I learning a lot!!! (Still a lot to learn!!) Today during my P.E. special, I popped in to watch Sandi and her class. I got to see the lesson leading up to her share time that she wrote about earlier. Just listening to Sandi rephrase the "thinking" of her students, really reminded me of the importance of listening to REALLY hear what is behind their talk. Asking them to say more about a possible connection often does reveal a closer fit. If there was something shared that was close to making sense or being a deep connection, Sandi reworded it for them in a very natural way that actually seems like praise or positive feedback. If any of you have been lucky enough to see Debbie Miller model in a classroom you would see this exquisite "dance" between teacher and student. Debbie came to our district several years ago and Sandi's room was the demo room. I was one of the lucky ones that got to be there. Debbie is so natural in how she reflects their thinking back to them, adding on the words she was hoping to get from them. Putting the words back in their mouths so to speak. For the future. I observed Sandi doing this today. It reminded me that when we reflect back to them what we "hear" (and add a bit more for depth) we are giving them such a gift. This takes time yet it is SO valuable. Those kids today built on each other's comments (combined with what Sandi modeled back for them in her "praise") and were able to get deeper into the authors purpose and rule out coincidences but claim the true connections. Wouldn't it be grand if we could all visit each other's rooms and learn together??? Keep writing in here. Share your lessons. What are you learning about your teaching? What are you learning about your children because of this teaching??? Ginger moderator _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.