Re: [MOSAIC] Common Core - response to feeling the standards are always helpful
Another great article. Remember; knowledge is power. http://susanohanian.org/show_research.php?id=419 Lise ___ 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] Common Core
Check out Susan Ohanian's website: http://www.susanohanian.org/ . There is a wealth of information there. I encourage everyone to sign up for her email alerts. Lise ___ 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] exemplars for middle school literature
What is the url for finding the exemplars for middle school literature? It's on the Common Core Standards Website Here is the link: http://www.corestandards.org/assets/Appendix_B.pdf Lise 7/8th grade Humanities NBCT/EA/ELA ___ 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] Common Core
Did anyone look at the exemplars for middle school literature? I did. Among the gems: Little Women (really?- my Hispanic 8th grade boys will love this one), Tom Sawyer, Call of the Wild, Charge of the Light Brigade. Do the creators of these standards think there hasn't been any literature worth reading during the past 100 years? How many of you are aware of the fact that Bill Gates' fingerprints and his millions given to his foundations are all over these standards? Once again we follow like sheep, not fighting back or challenging the system that would love to privatize public education. Lise P.S. Marion Brady is one of my heroes ___ 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] historical novel
Here are a couple of books I have used: Lise Spangenthal NBCT Phoenix, AZ Bread and Roses, Too- Katherine Patterson Grade 5-8-Paterson has drawn upon the facts of the famous 1912 Bread and Roses strike in the mills of Lawrence, MA, and the sympathetic response of the citizens of Barre, VT, to tell the story of two children enmeshed in complex events. Rosa Seruttis mother and older sister work in the mills and are joining the protest against unfair labor practices. Jake Beale works there to keep himself and his alcoholic father alive. As the strike turns ugly, arrangements are made for children to leave Lawrence temporarily, and Rosa is sent to an elderly couple, the Gerbatis, in Barre. After a terrifying incident in which he finds his father dead, Jake sneaks onto the train, mistaking its destination as New York City. He convinces Rosa to say he is her older brother and to persuade the Gerbatis to keep him, too. Illiterate Sal begs off going to school, working instead in Mr. Gerbatis stonecutting business where, despite fair treatment, the temptation to steal overwhelms him. Caught in the act, he learns that the forbidding man is really a compassionate soul who gives him the chance he needs to make a new life for himself. Paterson has skillfully woven true events and real historical figures into the fictional story and created vivid settings, clearly drawn characters, and a strong sense of the hardship and injustice faced by the mostly immigrant mill workers. Ethnic rivalries and prejudices play an important role, and the alternating points of view of Rosa and Jake allow for a broader picture and add tension and balance.-Marie Orlando, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY Lyddie Katherine PAtterson From Publishers Weekly In 1843, three years after her father abandons his failing Vermont farm, 10-year-old Lyddie and her younger brother Charles are hired out as servants, while Mama and the two youngest children go off to live with relatives. After spending a grueling year working in a tavern, Lyddie flees to Lowell, Mass., in hopes of finding a better job that will provide enough income to pay off farm debts and allow the family to be reunited. Life continues to be a struggle after she is employed in a cloth factory, but Lyddie finds refuge from wretched working conditions by burying herself in books. Learning that she cannot return home--the family farm has been sold to Quaker neighbors--the girl is seized by a burning desire to gain independence by attending college. Readers will sympathize with Lyddie's hardships and admire her determination to create a better life for herself. Paterson ( The Tale of the Mandarin Ducks ) clearly depicts the effects of poverty during the 19th century, focusing on the plight of factory workers enslaved by their dismal jobs. Impeccably researched and expertly crafted, this book is sure to satisfy those interested in America's industrialization period. Ages 10-14. ___ 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] Need Book Recommendations Grades 7 & 8
I have several copies of The Blueford Series. They are from Townshend Press and each slim book costs a dollar each. There are 13 book in the series. These are very urban books dealing with urban issues and my students love them. As far as a read aloud with action; I also enjoyed The Hunger Games. It is a bit slow at the beginning because the author takes a lot of time to build character. BTW book 3 comes out on the 24th. Currently I am reading The Maze Runner, which is full of action, chapters end with cliff hangers and kids are forced to make loads of inference. Lise Spangenthal Valley View School Phoenix, AZ 7/8th grade Humanities NBCT ___ 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] Help: Need to start 8th Grade Sci-Fi Club
My boys liked The Last Book in the Universe - Philbrick - Original Message - From: "thomas" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Mosaic: A Reading Comprehension Strategies Email Group" Sent: Sunday, December 07, 2008 5:58 PM Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] Help: Need to start 8th Grade Sci-Fi Club City of Ember is "hot" right now Also Black Cauldron seriesLloyd Alexander On 12/7/08 4:07 PM, "Kelly Wade" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Hi all, A friend of mine works at a school that spends a lot of time trying to engage reluctant and struggling readers. He started a reading club for his eighth graders, featured the book Twilight, and attracted a lot of kids. The catch: all girls, of course. So now my friend is looking for a sci fi book or sci fi series that will attract some of the boys in his target group. Any ideas? Remember I'm looking for eighth grade interest but maybe a bit lower in terms of reading level. Thanks in advance! Kelly W CT ___ 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. ___ 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] whole class discussion question
Hi, I just passed my National Boards in Early Adolescent English/LA. I used a fiction piece. I also had (still do) a large ELL population as well as 8 SpEd kids.I'd be happy to chat about the 2nd entry based n my own experience. Feel free to contact me off line. [EMAIL PROTECTED] Lise - Original Message - From: "ncteach" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Mosaic: A Reading Comprehension Strategies Email Group" Sent: Thursday, November 27, 2008 6:55 PM Subject: [MOSAIC] whole class discussion question Hi All, Forgive me for just jumping in, but I am so stressed at the moment and need your collective wisdom. I am a candidate for National Boards (ELA Early Adolescent). (I teach 6th grade ELA.) I am now working on Entry #2 Whole Class Discussion. I have to send in 15 minutes of a video taped lesson which I will analyze and reflect upon. I spent considerable time creating a lesson on teaching the reading strategy of metacognition using a nonfciton text. The lesson follows STW. I will model using a think aloud, have students doing think, pair, share, and then eventually having them practice with guidance. My instructional goal is for the students to interact with the text as opposed to just decoding the words---to think about their thinking. (They are having a hard time with this. Half of the class is ESL. I also have two students with ADD.) My question/concern is this: Should I use nonfiction? It might be easier to have a whole class discussion about a piece of fiction, however, my students are fairly familiar with fiction. They *really* need help with nonfiction. The text is a short article about child labor in Equador. (They've become very interested in child labor issues.) I'm getting nervous that the nonfiction metcognition lesson might not lend itself to the taping process. Does anyone have any advice? Any and all thoughts would be appreciated. Kim in NC ___ 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] Looking for Books
We've done One Book for our K-8 school for several years. Some of the titles are: Esperanza Rising, Becoming Naomi Leon, Seedfolk and out next year book will be Sahara Special. I'd also like to recommend The Tale of Despereaux which incidentally was a favorite read aloud even with my 8th grade boys. Lise ___ 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] Students who don't learn to read
Gerald Bracey and David Berlinner are my heroes!. Anyone who is really interested in educational policy and read a dissemination of the numbers racket should join the EDDRA listserve on Yahoo. I never post, too intimidating so I just lurk. There are a number of very powerful people on that listserve who are worth reading. Lise ___ 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] Complacency vs. Implementing What I've Learned -The Power is in Our Hands
I received an update today from Educators Roundtable. They are active in trying to amend/eliminate NCLB. I can forward to anyone who is interested the update off list. Send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] . Or those of you who would like more information you can go directly to their site: http://www.educatorroundtable.net/frontPage.do It's a worthwhile read. Anyone who doesn't think corporations are trying to control what we do in the classroom, particularly in reading instruction follow the money. Check out this site: http://eliminatenclb.org/who.shtml . We no longer have the liberty of complacency. Not if we truly believe that what we do daily is worthwhile. Lise ___ 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] Complacency vs. Implementing What I'v e Learned
You are not alone. I am definitely not what anyone would call complacent. I regularly talk to anyone who will listen about what is happening to our current educational system. But you are right, so many teachers are sheep. Too many think these tests are great and we all need standards, like none of us have ever had any before. This summer I completed an online course on NCLB and I spent a fair amount of time calling people out ,asking them their reasons to support measures that border on child abuse. In addition to that fine collection of writers, I'd like to add Alfie Kohn, Carole Edelsky and Gerald Bracey. Ken Goodman retired from the Uof A but is still active and vocal. By the way, I had dinner a year ago with Denny Taylor, she is amazing! A couple of websites and listserves are worthwhile, too. Educators Roundtable, fairtest.org and Susan Ohanian's website. Rethinking Schools is a great journal for progressive educators rethinkingschools.org and Gerald Bracey's EDDRA listserve on Yahoo. Above all, write your legislators, NCLB is up for reauthorization and they are trying to fast track it with little or no changes. I have always interviewed principals because I refuse to compromise what I believe to be best practices and I am fortunate to be working with a principal with principles. He refuses to become a Reading First school because he doesn't want to sell out to a textbook company, besides he is well aware of the corruption surrounding Reading First. Unfortunately, the district is not on the same page. We now have a mandated adopted textbook for Language Arts and our ELL students. I for one plan to ignore the edict. Mosaic, Strategies that Work and Nancy Allen's balanced literacy approach have always worked well for me.Since my test scores are some of the highest in the school, I doubt my principal will bother me about it. It's time we organize, take off the gloves and take control of what we do best. Teach. We are professionals, it's time we act like it. Lise 6-8th grade LA/SS Phoenix, AZ ___ 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] 'Cool Salsa' poetry book
I have Cool Salsa.It's a nice little paperback book of poems. Gary Soto is very popular with my middle schoolers. I use it for both reading and writing minilessons in my classroom. I used to have a couple of copies, but they kept disappearing. Lise ___ 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] Environmental Read Alouds
Flush is another Hiassen book that deals with environmental issues. My kisd really enjoyed it as a read aloud. Picture books would include Just a Dream and The Great Kapok Tree. ___ 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] Read Aloud Thanks
I love Despereaux! I've even read it to my tough guy 8th graders, who enjoyed it as well. Books my kids enjoyed as a read aloud (I teach 6-8) Dave at Night Totally Joe Bunnicula Meets Edgar Alan Crow (my 6th graders are big fans of the Bunnicula series) The Boy in the Striped Pajamas The Giver Becoming Naomi Leon Tomorrow's my last day and I am tired. I'll think of more later. Lise ___ 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] Social Studies and novels
I teach integrated social studies/language arts. Some of the books I use are: Fever 1793- The Yellow Fever Epidemic in Philadelphia and companion book America Plague Dave at Night- Bronx Masquerade Harlem Renaissance The Golden Goblet- Ancient Egypt Walking to the Bus Rider Blues, Watsons Go To Birmingham, Warriors Don't Cry- Mississippi Trial 1955-Civil Rights Movement, Tree Girl and Red Midnight- Guatemalan Genocide Milkweed, Frederich, Number the Stars, When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit, I Never Saw Another Butterfly; Children's Drawings and Poems, Daniel's Story The Holocaust Nothing But the Truth -Constitution Bull Run, Across Five Aprils-Civil War Lupita Manana, Eperanza Rising, The Circuit, Journey of the Swallows- Immigration Seedfolks, The Giver Sustainability/community Lise ___ 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] Comprehension in general
>>>We are starting the last 9 weeks so they are doing research projects. Bill, Have you ever done multigenre research projects with them? I have found that even my most unmotivated learners were engaged using this as a way to research a topic of their own interest. Lise ___ 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] Texts to teach Global Warming?
>>>>Do mosaic folks think teachers can bring contentious topics to the >>>>table--or, I wonder, does the reading/learning get buried in the >>>>politics of it all and make these topics undesirable to a reading >>>>curriculum? Actually, we have based our entire middle school theme on the study of sustainability. How do societies endure over time? We've looked at these and other questions through the social sciences and science lens. We teach integrated curriculum schoolwide so our texts (fiction and non fiction)are driven by science and social studies content. I think it's imperative that we teach critical literacy skills. The only way I know how to do this is to bring in literacy materials that look through different lenses and spark discussion and debate.These skills unfortunately are not part of our state wide tests. Lise ___ 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] Texts to teach Global Warming?
These are part of the science standards for the state of Arizona, which is by no means progressive in it's thinking. Climate change is not a disputed fact by most scientists. Besides, rousing the people is just maybe what our country needs. They sure could use a good shaking up. Lise Grade 5 PO 1. Explain the impacts of natural hazards on habitats (e.g., global warming, floods, asteroid or large meteor impacts). Grade 7 PO 1. Analyze environmental risks (e.g., pollution, destruction of habitat) caused by human interaction with biological or geological systems. Grade 4 PO 2. Evaluate the consequences of environmental occurrences that happen either rapidly (e.g., fire, flood, tornado) or over a long period of time (e.g., drought, melting ice caps, the greenhouse effect, erosion). Grade 8 PO 1. Analyze the risk factors associated with natural, human induced, and/or biological hazards, including: · waste disposal of industrial chemicals · greenhouse gases ___ 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] :Louisa Moats
I am suspicious of anything that's supported by Chester Finn and the Fordham Foundation SRA/McGraw-Hill's Open Court, Harcourt's Trophies, and Scott Foresman's Reading Street are all huge donors to the Republican party. You can draw your own conclusions. Lise ___ 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] Teacher responses
My students turn in a weekly response notebook. They are required to write a minimum of 4 entries and each entry has to be at least 3 paragraphs. It is written in friendly letter format. I read and respond to every student each week. At the beginning of the year I model a 3 paragraph response to every one of my students. (I have 60 6-8 graders). It takes an enormous amount of my time and a commitment. That said, I find it incredibly beneficial. I get to know my students not only as readers, but as writers and thinkers. First of all, it really helps if you split up the turn in days so you are not so overwhelmed. One year I collected by table groups as it was easier to read 6 or 12 every day rather than 30 a night. I also find it really helps if you are at least somewhat familiar with the books the kids are reading. I read lots! I don't let them retell what they read so it definitely helps with my ability to respond to them. Some of the questions I ask has to do with their connections, understanding of character place and setting, themes, how did they feel about the end, what did they use as fix up strategies. When they make predictions I expect them to use the text to tell me how they arrived at the prediction and if they were correct. I don't have a template, because my responses are based on the kids' writing. I can only say (and I am sticking my neck out here) if the teachers want some quick comment from a list then it doesn't seem reasonable to me to ask the kids to do more than the teacher is willing to commit to. If your teachers are not willing to write thoughtful (and, yes, sometimes lengthy responses) to their students, then perhaps it isn't worth doing. Lise ___ 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] Race, Identity, Relationships and Literature
I would also add An Island Like You By Judith Cofer Ortiz and The Circuit by Francisco Jiménez Lise ___ 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.
