I think I'd just like to express this: What I'd consider as a good reason to do such a thing would NOT include it being easier for teachers. That's not why we're here.
On Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 7:54 AM, Renee <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I would like to just throw a wrench into the works, or however that > metaphor goes. I have two objections to ability grouping across > classrooms. One is that research shows that the lower groups tend to > stay lower without role models. But that's not my main objection. > > My main objection is that it detracts from the overall classroom > community component of learning, as well as takes away from the > opportunity to extend beyond "reading time" in real, authentic ways. If > something comes up in reading that triggers a real, teachable moment, > it is useless because some of the kids go away in an hour, and other > kids (the ones who would have been there, otherwise) return, not having > been present when whatever it was came up. It makes it harder to teach > thematically in ways that truly connect to each other unless all the > teachers are doing the same thing, in which case there is no reason to > have been trading kids around. > > Just my two cents, again. > Renee > > > On Oct 8, 2008, at 7:49 PM, Wendy Jensen wrote: > > > Thanks for all your great thoughts and kind words on both sides of the > > coin. I love getting other perspectives because I don't always see > > the big picture right away. I think it is important to view all sides > > before jumping in. Especially when it comes to primary readers. > > Another question hit me as I was reading your responses. If within > > our own classrooms, we differentiate by doing individual conferences, > > small skill groups, and small guided groups that are flexible, what do > > you think would be the advantage to doing the across grade-level > > groupings instead? My first thought is that it is the same thing only > > different logistics. Also, does it rattle any of the kiddos to be > > moved from one classroom to another so often? What are your > > observations of this. It sounds like they handle it fine. I'm > > curious what you think because I would bet that this comes up in our > > discussions. I appreciate your responses and you have given me food > > for thought on the topic...keep it comin'!!!! > > > > Wendy > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: elisa kifer<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ; > > Mosaic: A Reading Comprehension Strategies Email > > Group<mailto:mosaic@literacyworkshop.org> > > Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2008 6:26 PM > > Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] Your thoughts > > > > > > Regardless of whether the kids are pulled out by ability or you are > > grouping > > with your guided reading groups, I am a strong believer in pulling > > groups > > based on ability. BUT, more importantly, these groups MUST BE > > FLEXIBLE. If > > the groups are going to be flexible, then I think it would be great. > > Why > > hold your strong students back with skills and strategies they have > > already > > mastered, and vice versa. I use a similar technique. Some of my > > very low > > students go to a 2nd grade classroom for reading instruction, and > > her top > > kids come to me for reading instruction (3rd grade). Within our > > classrooms, these students are in flexible guided reading groups. > > It works > > for us, and it helps with planning. > > > > On Wed, Oct 8, 2008 at 6:16 PM, chelo echaves > > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote<mailto: > > [EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > > > >> hello Wendy > >> I am not a teacher in the sense that most of you here are but I love > >> reading and am involved in our own Public Library here in Cebu City, > >> Philippines. My love for reading is whats keeping me here at MOSAIC > >> :-) I > >> learn alot here and not just about reading. I learn about people's > >> generosity and bigness of heart always trying to find ways to help and > >> better themselves in order to be better at helping children > >> read-Amazing! > >> Anyways, experiencially I do this-I do what my gut feel tells me to > >> do. You > >> are your best and worst critic but I can sense your deep love for > >> children > >> to find their way through reading. so I am definite you will do whats > >> best. > >> Blessings > >> Chelo > >> > >> --- On Thu, 9/10/08, Wendy Jensen > >> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>> wrote: > >> > >> From: Wendy Jensen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>> > >> Subject: [MOSAIC] Your thoughts > >> To: "Mosaic: A Reading Comprehension Strategies Email" < > >> mosaic@literacyworkshop.org<mailto:mosaic@literacyworkshop.org>> > >> Date: Thursday, 9 October, 2008, 6:19 AM > >> > >> My principal just asked us (again) today about how we would feel about > >> ability > >> grouping kids for reading across a grade level. So, all the low kids > >> go to > >> one > >> of the 2nd grade teachers, all the low-mid go to a different 2nd grade > >> teacher, > >> all the middle kids go to another 2nd grade teacher and so on. We > >> would do > >> this > >> during a time in our reading block when the ELP or TAG kids leave the > >> room > >> and > >> the lowest kids leave the room for extra help. I'm not really > >> thrilled > >> with > >> this idea and many teachers in the building feel the same way. Do > >> any of > >> you do > >> this grouping within your reader's workshop? I just don't think it is > >> the appropriate time to do that. I've worked hard to train my kids > >> how > >> reader's workshop runs, they get to choose books, and have longer > >> periods > >> of > >> time to read. Many of the teachers in the building do small guided > >> groups, > >> however, I am the only one using a reader's workshop approach. He has > >> brought this topic to the table time and time again and we always > >> tell him > >> we > >> don't want to use that approach, but for some reason he keeps pushing > >> it. > >> I > >> realize there's not just one way to teach reading, but I've seen such > >> great results with reader's workshop and comprehension strategies > >> that I > >> would hate to see that all go away. I'd love your thoughts on this > >> "set-up". I think if I have more input I might not judge it so > >> harshly. My first reaction is NO WAY! Thanks in advance! > >> > >> Wendy > >> _______________________________________________ > >> Mosaic mailing list > >> Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org<mailto:Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org> > >> To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to > >> http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/ > >> mosaic_literacyworkshop.org<http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/ > >> options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org>. > >> > >> Search the MOSAIC archives at > >> http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive<http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive>. > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> New Email names for you! > >> Get the Email name you've always wanted on the new @ymail and > >> @rocketmail. > >> Hurry before someone else does! > >> http://mail.promotions.yahoo.com/newdomains/aa/<http:// > >> mail.promotions.yahoo.com/newdomains/aa/> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> Mosaic mailing list > >> Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org<mailto:Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org> > >> To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to > >> http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/ > >> mosaic_literacyworkshop.org<http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/ > >> options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org>. > >> > >> Search the MOSAIC archives at > >> http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive<http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive>. > >> > >> > > > > > > -- > > Elisa M. Kifer > > Third Grade Literacy Teacher > > Fox Meadow Elementary > > > > > > "Love of reading and writing is not taught, it is created. > > Love of reading and writing is not required, it is inspired. > > Love of reading and writing is not demanded, it is exemplified. > > Love of reading and writing, is not exacted, it is quickened. > > Love of reading and writing is not solicited, it is activated." > > -Russell Stauffer, 1980 > > _______________________________________________ > > Mosaic mailing list > > Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org<mailto:Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org> > > To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to > > > > http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/ > > mosaic_literacyworkshop.org<http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/ > > options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org>. > > > > Search the MOSAIC archives at > > http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive<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. > > > > > "The most important office in a democracy is the office of citizen." > ~ Barack Obama > > > > _______________________________________________ > 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. 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