I think it's inescapable that the possibilities of deep thinking (comprehension) require wait time and reflection, and that, indeed is a practice that is mutually exclusive to DI programs.
On Sat, Feb 21, 2009 at 11:11 AM, Ellin Keene <ellinke...@earthlink.net>wrote: > A quick response to Elisa and Jennifer's posts about the purpose of the > list > serv. I certainly agree with the original, stated purposes (there's a big > surprise, eh?) for the list serv, but with respect to the scripted programs > discussion, I do think that the discussion is related to strategy > instruction in a most critical way. These programs eat up every minute of > time that might otherwise be directed to more relevant, timely instruction > for kids, including comprehension strategy instruction. In addition, there > are now programs that script comprehension strategy instruction and I feel > that we must be able to articulate the research and theory (as I stated in > my earlier post) in order to stave off purchase of these programs. While > it > may not be useful to merely bemoan the use of the programs, it might be > very > useful for people to share what they know about the research (as Nancy did > today) to help others combat these trends. > > > > It also occurs to me that comprehension instruction is embedded in a much > larger context of literacy instruction in all six systems and that people > are struggling with how/when to fit it all in. This, again, is why I wrote > To Understand - to try to show the balance we need to strike between > comprehension instruction and instruction in word learning, fluency and > syntax. It makes sense to me that one of your lines of inquiry on this > list > might follow that question - what is the proper balance between > comprehension instruction and word/sentence level learning. That said, I > agree with Jennifer that the discussions of your classroom experiences in > comprehension are so helpful and I always learn from them - so thank you > for > that!!! > > ellin > > > > > > > > > > Elisa > > Thank you. You are right. > > I know you are reflecting the views of many since my mailbox is filling > with > > off-list pleas to bring the list back to a discussion of comprehension. > > > > I know the discussion we've been having is important and I don't want to > > "censor" anyone...but I would like us as a group to reflect upon the > purpose > we > > were created for... > > > > If you go to the Mosaic home page, this is what you will find: > > > > <<The idea for this group was born out of the teachers taking the journey > > through this instructional paradigm. Wanting to jump right in and get > started, > > but often feeling unsure and alone, we wanted a forum to share our > questions, > > our joys, our successes, and our frustrations. Reading the book, Mosaic of > > > Thought, (or any of the other books mentioned above) will strengthen your > > connection to our conversations. > > > > Some of the most powerful emails have been when members reflect openly on > > the email group about their teaching. Being reflective ?outloud? on the > list > > is one way to grow professionally. Try taking the risk to tell us > specifically > > what you are doing. Talk with us about how you feel the teaching went and > > what you plan to do next. When we share our own thinking (just like we are > > asking our students to do) we often move to a new level of clarity and > > understanding. > > Here are the focus points we welcome discussion about: > > * comprehension strategy instruction > > * questions about implementation > > * action research conducted by teachers based on experiences in > > strategy teaching > > * reading workshop > > * authentic assessment > > * strategy instruction as it relates to high stakes testing > > * professional reading suggestions/reflections to continue our > > learning process > > * lesson write ups/book suggestions > > * online book talks related to comprehension teaching > > We are looking forward to an active, stimulating, and supportive > discussion > > > with you on these topics! Remember- no question is too simple to ask.>> > > I appreciate the respectful tone the discussions take...but I am thinking > at > > this point, we might want to consider the reason we all came to Mosaic was > > to discuss comprehension. > > Maybe it is time we get back to that... > > Jennifer > > List moderator > > > > > > In a message dated 2/20/2009 8:46:50 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, > > elwaingor...@cbe.ab.ca writes: > > > > What is interesting to me about this whole thread and sub thread is how > far > > > away they have taken us from talk of comprehension and strategy > instruction. > > Again, we are being led astray to discuss things that don't add anything > of > > > value to the purpose for which the Mosaic list was established. > > Elisa > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > 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.
