Re: [MOSAIC] Mosaic Digest, Vol 7, Issue 14
your words are poetry to my ears and eyes. thanks for the thoughtful and insightful comments. margy Jennifer Morgan Frigon [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Bill, How wonderful that you took that first step in asking your students what is important to them. In my opinion, they gave you some wonderful ideas to work with! Cellphones, myspace, and music ARE what's important to today's youth. You mention them not understanding or comprehending but I bet that they are more so than you or I would. Ever consider teaching critical literacy in the classroom to help guide their understanding? This would be a neat way to help make them aware while engaging them in something that they enjoy. Drugs may very well be a part of everyday life for these kids. Talk about it! There are some pretty powerful poems out there about Drugs that these kids could dive in to. Poverty clearly DOES matter to them if they know enough to see that they dont want to be in it, our culture has promoted the get rich quick attitude. Why dont you do a text set on poverty or an occupations inquiry project? As for abuse, it is a part of life but it doesnt have to be. So often youngsters build up an i dont care attitutude around things that they care the most about. Perhaps a blog page would take the place of their myspace craze and allow for a spot to talk about these issues in a safe manner. These kids THRIVE for the spoken word. Rap music, like it or not, is just that. No it may not be a poetry reading at Barnes and Noble that WE might enjoy but it is music that pertains directly to youth. There are many many rap songs that talk about oppression and rising up. Not all of them talk about drugs and sex. Start class off one day with the Naz song I know I can and see how engaged they are then. Use it to introduce one of the previously mentioned text sets. Have the students do a free write of their feelings and reactions. There IS hope for these students, Bill. Jenn ___ 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.
Re: [MOSAIC] Music in the classroom
In Vol 7, Issue 15 many of you discussed using music as a tool in the classroom. I support this entirely. I especially believe that music can help teach students to become good listeners, and readers. Playing a song in the classroom, regardless of the genre, will capture students interest and make them feel as if they are taking part in relaxing activity that is not being critically evaluated. We can have students discuss what they hear after only listening to a song, then have them further analyze the music by distributing the lyrics. I noticed that someone mentioned the Nas song I know I can. This song sends the kind of message that is very pertinent in the lives of many young students, especially those growing up in poverty. Many songs have motivational messages and can be positively implemented into any classroom, and used as a literacy tool. Students will develop their listening skills, comprehension skills, and analytical skills, all through the use of music in the classroom. In my own experiences I have also found that many students feel more comfortable working with music rather than books. Developing literacy skills through songs allows students, especially struggling ones, to feel non-threatened and thus allows for an increase in participation amongst the group. I highly recommend incorporating music into the classroom, on any level, and from any genre, especially to be used as a literacy tool. Christine _ Mortgage rates as low as 4.625% - Refinance $150,000 loan for $579 a month. Intro*Terms https://www2.nextag.com/goto.jsp?product=10035url=%2fst.jsptm=ysearch=mortgage_text_links_88_h27f6disc=yvers=743s=4056p=5117 ___ 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.
Re: [MOSAIC] Music in the classroom
I know that Linda Hoyt also recommends using instrumental music in her books. She maintains that music supports passion and fluency. 1. it is a conscious interpretation of the author's style and meaning, 2. it can be considered an extension of the natural cadence of our language, and 3. it can be consciously applied to many genres. I know from my work as a special needs teacher that it supports the brain in processing information and creates a state of relaxation and attention. Hoyt recommends music with 55-65 beats per minute and then experiment with that in poetry, sentence flency and beautifully written language. She demonstrated with a read aloud and it really blew me away. Pam BRBRBR**BR AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com. ___ 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] looking for clips to hang chart paper from chalk board
Does anyone know where I can purchase clips that hang from your chalkboard to hang chart paper from? Rosie BRBRBR**BR AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com. ___ 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.
