I think that's called "bull****" :-) Renee On Oct 9, 2008, at 7:10 AM, Carol Carlson wrote:
> We had a consultant in our district who said that "research shows > that teachers can only handle three groups for differentiation". > > Where did that come from? Does anyone know about this research? He is > a learning theorist, I think, so maybe it has to do with learning > theory? > > Carol > > On Oct 9, 2008, at 9:00 AM, Beverlee Paul wrote: > >> 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. >> >> 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. > > "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." ~ Martin Luther King, Jr. _______________________________________________ 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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