I have always taught with the belief that I may be the only teacher who will ever teach them. I know others do, but I also know others do not. Being creative, thematic, dramatic, off-the-wall, etc. has always worked for me before, but this is the first time I've felt so helpless....My "at-risk" students do better than the average students because they respond to the encouragment and effort. My average students just sit and take up space. Bill
----- Original Message ----- From: "Angela Almond" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Mosaic: A Reading Comprehension Strategies Listserv" <mosaic@literacyworkshop.org> Sent: Friday, December 22, 2006 11:27 AM Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] New problem.... > I teach fourth grade and I know it is very different that eighth but I > have a group of children that are very lethargic. They are the lowest > group of readers in the entire school. Most are reading at a second grade > level or lower. They have always failed at everything they have done, > including state tests, and know that they will continue to be promoted. > Therefore, they know they don't really have to do anything to "get by." > > It is slowly getting better but I had to become the teacher I hate being. > I had to hold things over their heads and use punishment as a way to force > them to read and learn. It was absolutely horrible. However, the first > week that they all got a passing grade on their vocabulary test was a > celebration that even the principal had to come down and see. The fact > that this is the first year that they have ever been asked to read things > and talk about them has really blown their minds and I think the structure > of the class has helped with some of their success but it is a battle > every day to keep them reading and learning. They are so close to giving > up and never trying again. > > So, even though it is a completely different world at the middle school, > know that I completely understand the frustration and how tempting it is > to just throw up your hands and say, "I'm done...I give up!" Just hang in > there and know that if you don't give up you may be the first teacher they > have ever had that hasn't done so! > > Angela Hatley Almond > Fourth Grade > East Albemarle Elementary School > > > > > _______________________________________________ > 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. > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.15.26/597 - Release Date: 12/21/06 > > _______________________________________________ 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.
