Felicia, I think you've already started on a path to teaching reading differently. I bet you are already doing some of the things you've read about on this list and that you got from your Ellin Keene/Debbie Miller session. It's hard not to since it all makes so much sense, no pun intended. Even though you feel you need to do the workbook pages is there any way you can just assign these for homework?? You can do a quick review of the pages the following day or you can have the kids pair up and compare answers. Then, you would only need to focus on those questions that the kids had trouble with. That would free up your classroom time to do some of the things you would love to do because they help children love to read and become better readers. If you try any of these ideas or others, please share with us.
Good luck! Elisa Elisa Waingort Grade 2 Spanish Bilingual Dalhousie Elementary Calgary, Canada The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt within the heart. —Helen Keller Visit my blog, A Teacher's Ruminations, and post a message. http://waingortgrade2spanishbilingual.blogspot.com/ I'm mostly a lurker but I really enjoy the comprehension strategy discussion on the listserv. My district currently uses a scripted reading program. The anthology( all authentic literature) is not bad but we're married to the workbook that goes along with it. I follow the program only because I feel I have to. Without the workbook, I'm afraid my students would not do well on the required theme tests that come with the program. Ever since I join this listserv I realized that what I am currently doing does not make my students (first grade) more thoughtful and reflective readers. So I paid out of my own pocket to go see ellin and Debbie Miller. I've read many of the books you discuss here. I keep abreast of what those of you on this listserv do in hopes that one day I can be a regular contributor to the site. I think my district likes the scripted program because it keeps all the teachers on the same page. I teach in a district that has 9 elementary schools. With that said, some teachers in my district are piloting a program from Rigby called Literacy by Design. It's a balanced literacy program with authors such as Hoyt, Marzano and Opitz (http://rigby.harcourtachieve.com/en-US/literacydesign_authors) among others. While it's probably not ideal, if the district adopts the program, it will bring us closer to what many of you are doing in your classroom. I teach in NJ and the state is in the process of revising the Core Curriculum Content Standards. I'm excited about what they're proposing because much of it leans to balanced literacy. They reference Harvey and Goudvis, Calkins, and Keene and Zimmerman and their respective books. While these are only proposed changes, chances are they'll pass. If anyone one wants to look at them, you can go to http://www.state.nj.us/education/aps/cccs/2009/lal/index.html I'm hoping that the listserv gets back to discussing comprehension strategies. I live vicariously through many of you and hope one day to be teaching reading just like you. Felicia
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