Hello Alan, I'd be real interested in reading Luke's thoughts about Bill's first post, and some comments he added this morning, which I've copied just below. I get the optimism that some have about solutions, nevertheless I have this feeling that the ground is shifting under our feet and I don't have a clue as to where this might be going. I'd like to know what a younger person with Luke's skills and interests thinks about Bill's posts. I spend a lot of my time in the tech world -- on line, working with technology -- but clearly I live and breathe in this world in ways that are different than younger people are. There is a disconnect -- at least for me -- when I read Bill's descriptions of his kids -- their outward attitudes, at least.
Sometimes I think the shoe is on the other foot. The late 50s through the early 70s, when I was growing up, were also times in which "older people" had a hard time understanding "younger people". And I remember, as a kid, being aware of the confusion adults felt, but not understanding it. And I remember feeling alienated -- not sure by what, but I would have said "by adults". So perhaps this is just a new flavor of the same old story. But I don't know. I would have thought that, having been a young person, I would be able to recognize myself in today's young people. And sometimes I do. But Bill's kids leave me completely without reference points. Anyway, still unanswered -- for me at least -- is the question of whether Bill's class is an anomaly or part of a tidal wave of change. It was helpful to read Donna's post -- reassuring in that she found ways to reach her kids. That said, I think a lot about how literacy and thinking are changing -- and how where and how we get our information and where and how we engage in "conversations" might be changing our ability to connect to "older" literacies and ways of thinking (such as books, older movies, etc.). Will we reach a point -- or have we already reached it -- where the "older" and "new" literacies are disconnecting or already disconnected? And what would (or does) that mean for our futures? Bill got me thinking. Lots of questions. I would be real interested in reading Luke's thoughts. Dave Middlebrook The Textmapping Project A resource for teachers improving reading comprehension skills instruction. www.textmapping.org | Please share this site with your colleagues! USA: (609) 771-1781 [EMAIL PROTECTED] If I hadn't spent the time teaching about how to watch a movie I wouldn't be concerned, but I spent a lot of time discussing what made a good story. What made a good movie. We watched TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD which previous years "got". Previous classes experienced anger, shame, shock, excitement....this group just sat and watched. We discussed music, cinematography, special effects, make up, costumes, acting, genres, etc. and I applied the reading strategies to each and every one. I knew they were lacking skills to discuss books and movies which is why I did the lessons. All they do is talk on their cell phones, go on Myspace, and sleep. They all want to be famous, but when I ask what they are going to do to become famous, they tell me it will just happen. No plans, no goals. They all think they are great at whatever they do...even when evidence shows otherwise. They refuse to look at something they do as well done or poorly done -- only that it is done. Everything revolves around themselves. I tried to stress with the kids that if a work of art (music, painting, movies, etc) has been around for awhile, there is probably a reason for it. Their job was to figure out the reason. That's what being grown up is all about.....looking at things from other's viewpoints. But they are so self-centered, they can't see the value of anything. The things in the world only have value IF THEY DECREE IT, otherwise, they won't even try to experience anything different. Don't recommend any professional books, please. I've read everything and have been doing this for a long time.....this is the first year I've had such a group. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Harvey Family" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "'Mosaic: A Reading Comprehension Strategies Listserv'" <mosaic@literacyworkshop.org> Sent: Sunday, March 11, 2007 1:01 PM Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] Comprehension in general > Hi Bill > > Something IS going on in their lives. You just have to find it. One > powerful > access point is the Spoken Word. Poetry made to be performed. Find a young > poet with a boom box and a contemporary issue and they will create a > spark. > A poet who can help them find their voice. There are probably all sorts of > issues within your room - issues of drugs, abuse, poverty, and power - > that > have kept these students down. Even affluence has major stuff going down - > status, video violence, and, once again, drugs. > > Not everyone is comfortable with the Arts but the students have to find a > passion or they will sink out of sight. It can be scary for the teacher > but > what power you give them. Administrative support is another issue because > you would be open to criticism. But if it's a choice between saving some > lives and playing it safe... > > We have an amazing Spoken Word poet in Tacoma named Luke Smiraldo. He > deals > with many contemporary issues, networks with other "cutting edge" poets, > and > really connects to kids. I wish everyone could see him work in the > classroom. He's also done some site specific performances at the Museum of > Glass and Tacoma Art Museum. > > The Arts Save Lives > > Anyone interested in Luke's ideas? I could try to get him to respond if > the > listserve is interested. > > Alan H > > > > > _______________________________________________ > 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. > > _______________________________________________ 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.
