Re: [MOSAIC] an "aha" moment
Hey Sandi, You continue to inspire me Thanks Teresa From: Sandra Stringham [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tue 10/3/2006 7:03 PM To: mosaic@literacyworkshop.org Subject: [MOSAIC] an "aha" moment I thought I would share something that happened today during readers' workshop share time. Bear in mind...this is 1st grade. My class has been working on Text to Self Connections. We were reading Hazel's Amazing Mother...if you want the lesson...it's right out of RWM by Debbie Miller, but the idea is to get kids to understand which connections help and which don't, what to do with those that don't, and why connections help. To make the long story shortone of my students after the lesson, wanted to know if he could record a response in his response journal about Hazel's Amazing Mother. Of course...no problem. His response was When I read Hazels Amazing Mother, I was thinkingand he wrote it reminded him that he went on a picnic with his mom. In my mind, I'm thinking how do I go about explaining how this "connection" doesn't help us understand the book...it was just coincidence, so I asked him the all important question: how does this help you as a reader? Here the "aha!" moment: "It helped me understand where they were at in the book. I could put myself in their place." So, taking a cue from Debbie Miller: I rephrased what he said: "I've never thought of it that way...so you were visualizing where they were atthe setting...you put yourself in the book. So you could understand the setting! That's s smart...kiss your brain!" And it's trueit could help him understand what setting is! And others! He is a 2nd language learner, so I think this is great, anyway...this was wonderful thinking for 30 days into a new school year! My ahamaybe I need to do more about understanding what the word setting meansnot just it is where they are at or the time it's happening. Just thought I would sharedon't be so quick to think it doesn't help...it helped him! Sandi 1st ___ 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] Sandi's class/1st grade
Hey Ginger, You are VERY lucky to be part of such wonderful reading!!! Teresa From: ginger/rob [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tue 10/3/2006 9:09 PM To: 1 mosaic list Subject: [MOSAIC] Sandi's class/1st grade I am SO lucky to be teaching in the same school as Sandi this year. We had both left our district (different years) and are now back. I am teaching second grade this year. First time for me. Sandi has been gracious in inviting me in to her room to observe and learn from her. I have over half my class reading at about beginning to mid-first grade level so in actuality I am teaching first grade as well as second grade. And BOY am I learning a lot!!! (Still a lot to learn!!) Today during my P.E. special, I popped in to watch Sandi and her class. I got to see the lesson leading up to her share time that she wrote about earlier. Just listening to Sandi rephrase the "thinking" of her students, really reminded me of the importance of listening to REALLY hear what is behind their talk. Asking them to say more about a possible connection often does reveal a closer fit. If there was something shared that was close to making sense or being a deep connection, Sandi reworded it for them in a very natural way that actually seems like praise or positive feedback. If any of you have been lucky enough to see Debbie Miller model in a classroom you would see this exquisite "dance" between teacher and student. Debbie came to our district several years ago and Sandi's room was the demo room. I was one of the lucky ones that got to be there. Debbie is so natural in how she reflects their thinking back to them, adding on the words she was hoping to get from them. Putting the words back in their mouths so to speak. For the future. I observed Sandi doing this today. It reminded me that when we reflect back to them what we "hear" (and add a bit more for depth) we are giving them such a gift. This takes time yet it is SO valuable. Those kids today built on each other's comments (combined with what Sandi modeled back for them in her "praise") and were able to get deeper into the authors purpose and rule out coincidences but claim the true connections. Wouldn't it be grand if we could all visit each other's rooms and learn together??? Keep writing in here. Share your lessons. What are you learning about your teaching? What are you learning about your children because of this teaching??? Ginger moderator ___ 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.
