Well said, Gina and Jill. I have read other research, maybe Alfred Tatum(?), about the competitive nature of many reading incentive programs being esp. bad for the very ones that need help the most -? struggling, minority boys. However, my very bright competitive nephew hated AR as well.
Cathy DE K-5 -----Original Message----- From: Jill Wadkins <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: mosaic@literacyworkshop.org Sent: Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:52 pm Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] STAR Excellent Point! Alfie Kohn wrote a book titled Punished by Rewards. In it he addresses AR, Book It (pizza Hut), and Six Flags Reading Club among other things. I agree with you regarding STAR. Using this will only provide a level, and not a very accurate one at that. Jill Waldrep Wadkins Academic Coach Sanders Intermediate School 770.819.2568 ext. 223 >>> gina nunley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 3/10/2008 1:26 PM >>> The teachers I know who like it are those who want a quick assessment. I also personally feel like most of them aren't interested in truly KNOWING the child as a reader. Getting a reading level does not guide instruction beyond putting the right book in their hands. And I know more people who disagree with the accuracy of the STAR leveling than agree with it. If I were to use it, I would only use it as a screener to decide who to QRI. The other downside of STAR is that it is almost always connected with AR reading which I abhor. I am a sixth grade teacher and you should hear the collective moan in my classroom from the kids who were forced to use AR in the elementary world. The only students I know who liked it were the highly competitive ones who liked the leveling (they were also the profcient readers) and the competition with points. I do not believe it ever assisted a struggling reader in becoming more proficient. > _________________________________________________________________ Helping your favorite cause is as easy as instant messaging. You IM, we give. http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/Home/?source=text_hotmail_join _______________________________________________ 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. ********************* IMPORTANT: The contents of this email and any attachments are confidential. They are intended for the named recipient(s) only. If you have received this email in error, please notify the system manager or the sender immediately and do not disclose the contents to anyone or make copies thereof. *** eSafe scanned this email for viruses, vandals, and malicious content. *** ********************** _______________________________________________ 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.
