Oh my goodness, I hope Renee and others didn't think I was responding to her. I guess I replied to the wrong thread of this; there are several going around. The post I was responding to was from someone who said that some teachers were FOR walking to reading because it made it easier for teachers to plan. To which my thoughts were - that's a doggone poor reason to structure reading programs like that. I'm sorry, Renee.
On Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 12:34 PM, ljackson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > It being an easy road for teachers certainly is not the message I got from > Renee. Teaching thematically is hardly 'easy'--good teaching, regardless > of > what might be imposed on us from affair, is never easy. But when kids, > particularly those who don's seem to come to learning with ease, are > disconnected from the curriculum or from one another, it is bound to be an > uphill struggle. > > Lori > > > On 10/9/08 8:00 AM, "Beverlee Paul" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 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. > > > > -- > Lori Jackson > District Literacy Coach & Mentor > Todd County School District > Box 87 > Mission SD 57555 > > http:www.tcsdk12.org > ph. 605.856.2211 > > > Literacies for All Summer Institute > July 17-20. 2008 > Tucson, Arizona > > > > > _______________________________________________ > 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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