Re: [MOSAIC] Saddened by Administration Mandate: Students and Choice Reading In Class (Susan Chicvara)
I, for one, am very happy to hear this and hope that it continues. Sadly, where I substitute, they are still training all the teachers in direct instruction and everything revolves around test scores, with increasing numbers of tests every year, both standardized and district-created, and piles of test prep materials growing bigger every year, with principals and superintendent touting research that supports things like Saxon Math and Direct Instruction and data driven curriculum. Renee On May 29, 2012, at 4:55 PM, Betty Laughlin wrote: I just went to a workshop for my district where they said the same thing! Hooray! Sent from my iPhone On May 28, 2012, at 9:02 PM, Tracy Gaestel aj...@lafn.org wrote: For all of you in this situation, hang in there. Last week our superintendent came to a meeting of people selected to work on aligning our curriculum to the Common Core Standards. He wanted to tell us personally that whatever had happened in the past, we were now to treat the text books as tools to help us plan lessons that help our students achieve proficiency on the grade level standards. The pendulum is swinging back. I was afraid that this day would never come. (He had to come because many of the teachers couldn't believe what the presenters were telling us) Teach? We don't need to be on the same page? We don't even have to use the same stories? (Someone even asked how can we do that?) I faintly heard the Hallelujah chorus in the background and I had to stop myself from dancing in the auditorium. The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen. ~ Frank Lloyd Wright ___ 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] Saddened by Administration Mandate: Students and Choice Reading In Class (Susan Chicvara)
Hallelujah Philomena Marinaccio-Eckel, Ph.D. Florida Atlantic University Dept. of Teaching and Learning College of Education 2912 College Ave. ES 214 Davie, FL 33314 Phone: 954-236-1070 Fax: 954-236-1050 -Original Message- From: Betty Laughlin cnjs...@yahoo.com To: Mosaic: A Reading Comprehension Strategies Email Group mosaic@literacyworkshop.org Sent: Tue, May 29, 2012 9:13 pm Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] Saddened by Administration Mandate: Students and Choice Reading In Class (Susan Chicvara) I just went to a workshop for my district where they said the same thing! Hooray! Sent from my iPhone On May 28, 2012, at 9:02 PM, Tracy Gaestel aj...@lafn.org wrote: For all of you in this situation, hang in there. Last week our superintendent came to a meeting of people selected to work on aligning our curriculum to the Common Core Standards. He wanted to tell us personally that whatever had happened in the past, we were now to treat the text books as tools to help us plan lessons that help our students achieve proficiency on the grade level standards. The pendulum is swinging back. I was afraid that this day would never come. (He had to come because many of the teachers couldn't believe what the presenters were telling us) Teach? We don't need to be on the same page? We don't even have to use the same stories? (Someone even asked how can we do that?) I faintly heard the Hallelujah chorus in the background and I had to stop myself from dancing in the auditorium. On Mon, 28 May 2012 14:17:45 -0700, Ann Walker awalk...@yahoo.com wrote: There are many of us in similar situations, unfortunately. After years of fighting the good fight, I am deflated, defeated, and know this is a battle I cannot win. I am now resolved to keeping my job while continuing to do the best I'm able for my struggling readers. Ann Walker Reading Specialist/IL ___ 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] Saddened by Administration Mandate: Students and Choice Reading In Class (Susan Chicvara)
Same in NJ Renee - the response to any new suggestion made by teachers to improve instruction is show me the data As a matter of fact during a discussion about voucher legislation with one of our assemblyman, a mayor from an urban community stated if we had vouchers our test scores would go up! Say it isnt so! Donna Sent from my HTC Status™ on ATT - Reply message - From: Renee phoenix...@sbcglobal.net To: Mosaic: A Reading Comprehension Strategies Email Group mosaic@literacyworkshop.org Subject: [MOSAIC] Saddened by Administration Mandate: Students and Choice Reading In Class (Susan Chicvara) Date: Wed, May 30, 2012 9:38 am I, for one, am very happy to hear this and hope that it continues. Sadly, where I substitute, they are still training all the teachers in direct instruction and everything revolves around test scores, with increasing numbers of tests every year, both standardized and district-created, and piles of test prep materials growing bigger every year, with principals and superintendent touting research that supports things like Saxon Math and Direct Instruction and data driven curriculum. Renee On May 29, 2012, at 4:55 PM, Betty Laughlin wrote: I just went to a workshop for my district where they said the same thing! Hooray! Sent from my iPhone On May 28, 2012, at 9:02 PM, Tracy Gaestel aj...@lafn.org wrote: For all of you in this situation, hang in there. Last week our superintendent came to a meeting of people selected to work on aligning our curriculum to the Common Core Standards. He wanted to tell us personally that whatever had happened in the past, we were now to treat the text books as tools to help us plan lessons that help our students achieve proficiency on the grade level standards. The pendulum is swinging back. I was afraid that this day would never come. (He had to come because many of the teachers couldn't believe what the presenters were telling us) Teach? We don't need to be on the same page? We don't even have to use the same stories? (Someone even asked how can we do that?) I faintly heard the Hallelujah chorus in the background and I had to stop myself from dancing in the auditorium. The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen. ~ Frank Lloyd Wright ___ 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] Saddened by Administration Mandate: Students and Choice Reading In Class (Susan Chicvara)
Wow, you are so lucky. Our district is still everyone should be on the same page. Deborah Lawson Sent from my iPad On May 30, 2012, at 8:38 AM, Renee phoenix...@sbcglobal.net wrote: I, for one, am very happy to hear this and hope that it continues. Sadly, where I substitute, they are still training all the teachers in direct instruction and everything revolves around test scores, with increasing numbers of tests every year, both standardized and district-created, and piles of test prep materials growing bigger every year, with principals and superintendent touting research that supports things like Saxon Math and Direct Instruction and data driven curriculum. Renee On May 29, 2012, at 4:55 PM, Betty Laughlin wrote: I just went to a workshop for my district where they said the same thing! Hooray! Sent from my iPhone On May 28, 2012, at 9:02 PM, Tracy Gaestel aj...@lafn.org wrote: For all of you in this situation, hang in there. Last week our superintendent came to a meeting of people selected to work on aligning our curriculum to the Common Core Standards. He wanted to tell us personally that whatever had happened in the past, we were now to treat the text books as tools to help us plan lessons that help our students achieve proficiency on the grade level standards. The pendulum is swinging back. I was afraid that this day would never come. (He had to come because many of the teachers couldn't believe what the presenters were telling us) Teach? We don't need to be on the same page? We don't even have to use the same stories? (Someone even asked how can we do that?) I faintly heard the Hallelujah chorus in the background and I had to stop myself from dancing in the auditorium. The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen. ~ Frank Lloyd Wright ___ 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] Saddened by Administration Mandate: Students and Choice Reading In Class (Susan Chicvara)
We were in that situation for ten very long years. It's swinging back here, it is bound to swing back other places. Keep the Faith in what we know is right for kids! TracyOn Wed, 30 May 2012 06:38:31 -0700, Renee phoenix...@sbcglobal.net wrote: I, for one, am very happy to hear this and hope that it continues. Sadly, where I substitute, they are still training all the teachers in direct instruction and everything revolves around test scores, with increasing numbers of tests every year, both standardized and district-created, and piles of test prep materials growing bigger every year, with principals and superintendent touting research that supports things like Saxon Math and Direct Instruction and data driven curriculum. Renee On May 29, 2012, at 4:55 PM, Betty Laughlin wrote: I just went to a workshop for my district where they said the same thing! Hooray! Sent from my iPhone On May 28, 2012, at 9:02 PM, Tracy Gaestel aj...@lafn.org wrote: For all of you in this situation, hang in there. Last week our superintendent came to a meeting of people selected to work on aligning our curriculum to the Common Core Standards. He wanted to tell us personally that whatever had happened in the past, we were now to treat the text books as tools to help us plan lessons that help our students achieve proficiency on the grade level standards. The pendulum is swinging back. I was afraid that this day would never come. (He had to come because many of the teachers couldn't believe what the presenters were telling us) Teach? We don't need to be on the same page? We don't even have to use the same stories? (Someone even asked how can we do that?) I faintly heard the Hallelujah chorus in the background and I had to stop myself from dancing in the auditorium. The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen. ~ Frank Lloyd Wright ___ 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] Saddened by Administration Mandate: Students and Choice Reading In Class (Susan Chicvara)
Kudos to you! Don't know how anyone survives 10 years. Good for you! On Wed, May 30, 2012 at 4:53 PM, Tracy Gaestel aj...@lafn.org wrote: We were in that situation for ten very long years. It's swinging back here, it is bound to swing back other places. Keep the Faith in what we know is right for kids! TracyOn Wed, 30 May 2012 06:38:31 -0700, Renee phoenix...@sbcglobal.net wrote: I, for one, am very happy to hear this and hope that it continues. Sadly, where I substitute, they are still training all the teachers in direct instruction and everything revolves around test scores, with increasing numbers of tests every year, both standardized and district-created, and piles of test prep materials growing bigger every year, with principals and superintendent touting research that supports things like Saxon Math and Direct Instruction and data driven curriculum. Renee On May 29, 2012, at 4:55 PM, Betty Laughlin wrote: I just went to a workshop for my district where they said the same thing! Hooray! Sent from my iPhone On May 28, 2012, at 9:02 PM, Tracy Gaestel aj...@lafn.org wrote: For all of you in this situation, hang in there. Last week our superintendent came to a meeting of people selected to work on aligning our curriculum to the Common Core Standards. He wanted to tell us personally that whatever had happened in the past, we were now to treat the text books as tools to help us plan lessons that help our students achieve proficiency on the grade level standards. The pendulum is swinging back. I was afraid that this day would never come. (He had to come because many of the teachers couldn't believe what the presenters were telling us) Teach? We don't need to be on the same page? We don't even have to use the same stories? (Someone even asked how can we do that?) I faintly heard the Hallelujah chorus in the background and I had to stop myself from dancing in the auditorium. The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen. ~ Frank Lloyd Wright __**_ Mosaic mailing list Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/**mailman/options/mosaic_** literacyworkshop.orghttp://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/**MosaicArchivehttp://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.orghttp://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/**MosaicArchivehttp://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive -- Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. Henry David Thoreau ___ 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] Saddened by Administration Mandate: Students and Choice Reading In Class (Susan Chicvara)
I just went to a workshop for my district where they said the same thing! Hooray! Sent from my iPhone On May 28, 2012, at 9:02 PM, Tracy Gaestel aj...@lafn.org wrote: For all of you in this situation, hang in there. Last week our superintendent came to a meeting of people selected to work on aligning our curriculum to the Common Core Standards. He wanted to tell us personally that whatever had happened in the past, we were now to treat the text books as tools to help us plan lessons that help our students achieve proficiency on the grade level standards. The pendulum is swinging back. I was afraid that this day would never come. (He had to come because many of the teachers couldn't believe what the presenters were telling us) Teach? We don't need to be on the same page? We don't even have to use the same stories? (Someone even asked how can we do that?) I faintly heard the Hallelujah chorus in the background and I had to stop myself from dancing in the auditorium. On Mon, 28 May 2012 14:17:45 -0700, Ann Walker awalk...@yahoo.com wrote: There are many of us in similar situations, unfortunately. After years of fighting the good fight, I am deflated, defeated, and know this is a battle I cannot win. I am now resolved to keeping my job while continuing to do the best I'm able for my struggling readers. Ann Walker Reading Specialist/IL ___ 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] Saddened by Administration Mandate: Students and Choice Reading In Class (Susan Chicvara)
That is truly sad, and I feel your pain. It's terrible when administrators don't understand what best practices are, and they are the ones making all of the decisions! You'll have to decide now, which is the most important thing: keeping your job or your integrity. That's a tough choice! You may have to keep you job; most of us do. At my school, it's all about direct instruction, fidelity to programs, and following the script. I am facing similar choices myself. Remember that your principal will likely not be at your school forever, so hopefully he or she will be moving on to greener pastures soon. Perhaps you will get a more reasonable principal next time with a better knowledge of curriculum and instruction. Heidi ___ 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] Saddened by Administration Mandate: Students and Choice Reading In Class
This is happening all over the country. YES, our children are SO MUCH MORE than data and, as teachers, we have the chance to listen to their reading, observe how they arrive at their comprehension decisions, read their writing and observe how they function as living. human beings. When I consider the baggage of poverty so many of my children bring to the classroom, I am SIMPLY AMAZED by their capabilities. That being said, they (students) and we (teachers) can always improve--always strive to reach the next level. Isn't that why they call it learning? It is sad that our colleagues (and administrators) will stand by and say nothing because of fear of reprimand or even worse. We're so busy working toward the Common Core Standards--maybe, we need to work on plain, old-fashioned, COMMON SENSE! Thanks for continuing to use your heart (along with your head) when you teach! Beverlee Paul beverleep...@gmail.com 5/25/2012 8:22 PM Believe me, many of us know exactly how you feel!! And in regard to your colleagues, remember this quote by Martin Luther King: In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/26954.html [image: [info]] http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/26954.html[image: [add]] http://www.quotationspage.com/myquotations.php?add=26954[image: [mail]] http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/26954.html#email *Martin Luther King Jr.* On Fri, May 25, 2012 at 4:53 PM, rascal...@aol.com wrote: I'm not sure why I'm posting this, other than I'm searching for some company in my despair. Or possibly you can lead me to some ways to deal with this situation. Today, as we were closing up school for the year, we were discussing next year's kids and administration wanted to know how we were going to group them. (That in and of itself always bothers me). However the statement that truly sent me spinning, was in regard to giving the students individual reading time within class. My administrator flat out told me (and my team), We do not give the students time to read in class. You must be working with the students in small groups and they should be engaged in 'targeted skills not reading. Of course my response was, How do we expect our students to become better readers if we don't give them time to read (of course teaching them how to read)? She simply said, They have to do that at home. Close of discussion. No one else on my team said anything...they just agreed with her. My heart sank. I am so disappointed in the direction our education system is taking us in my state and county. It's all about the pass rate on the test and looking at data. My students are so much more than data! Ugh! I'm sure you can all relate and have stories very similar to mine. I'm just disheartened. :-( Ali/FL ___ 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 -- Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. Henry David Thoreau ___ 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] Saddened by Administration Mandate: Students and Choice Reading In Class
There have been many responses to Ali regarding her principal's mandate that students should not be reading at school. But to me, the absolutely worst part of the post, even worse than the principal's orders, is this: No one else on my team said anything...they just agreed with her. If teachers stood together against these mandates REALLY stood together less of them would be coming down the pike. That would mean union involvement, true solidarity, flyers to parents, occupying staff meetings. the whole shebang. The fact that there are lone voices like Ali's out there, with the majority of teachers on their staffs just going along with the mandates and even, as Ali's colleagues did, agreeing with them, does not bode well. Teachers, as a group, are their own worst enemy. They are frogs boiling in a pot. It will get lots worse before it gets better. Renee On Fri, May 25, 2012 at 4:53 PM, rascal...@aol.com wrote: I'm not sure why I'm posting this, other than I'm searching for some company in my despair. Or possibly you can lead me to some ways to deal with this situation. Today, as we were closing up school for the year, we were discussing next year's kids and administration wanted to know how we were going to group them. (That in and of itself always bothers me). However the statement that truly sent me spinning, was in regard to giving the students individual reading time within class. My administrator flat out told me (and my team), We do not give the students time to read in class. You must be working with the students in small groups and they should be engaged in 'targeted skills not reading. Of course my response was, How do we expect our students to become better readers if we don't give them time to read (of course teaching them how to read)? She simply said, They have to do that at home. Close of discussion. No one else on my team said anything...they just agreed with her. My heart sank. I am so disappointed in the direction our education system is taking us in my state and county. It's all about the pass rate on the test and looking at data. My students are so much more than data! Ugh! I'm sure you can all relate and have stories very similar to mine. I'm just disheartened. :-( Ali/FL All we have to decide is what to do with the time that's given to us. ~ Gandalf ~ The Fellowship of the Ring ~ J.R.R. Tolkein ___ 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] Saddened by Administration Mandate: Students and Choice Reading ...
I have used the Daily 5 with my 4th graders for the past 3 years...however, the admin continues to monitor the reading time. We all know the many of the students don't read at home...some of my kiddos don't have a home to go to... Thank you for your encouraging words! In a message dated 5/25/2012 8:12:51 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, kpet...@fastq.com writes: We are just emerging from a number of years of focused instruction in reading. They DO need time to read in class...it is not going to happen at home. Yes, working with small groups could happen at the same time. I am looking into the Daily 5 for 8th grade on a modified basis. With the Common Core, students need to build reading stamina across all content areas as well as being able to create a response to literature that is not multiple choice. Skills are necessary, but only part of the reading process. Keep advocating for your students. Kris On May 25, 2012, at 3:53 PM, rascal...@aol.com wrote: I'm not sure why I'm posting this, other than I'm searching for some company in my despair. Or possibly you can lead me to some ways to deal with this situation. Today, as we were closing up school for the year, we were discussing next year's kids and administration wanted to know how we were going to group them. (That in and of itself always bothers me). However the statement that truly sent me spinning, was in regard to giving the students individual reading time within class. My administrator flat out told me (and my team), We do not give the students time to read in class. You must be working with the students in small groups and they should be engaged in 'targeted skills not reading. Of course my response was, How do we expect our students to become better readers if we don't give them time to read (of course teaching them how to read)? She simply said, They have to do that at home. Close of discussion. No one else on my team said anything...they just agreed with her. My heart sank. I am so disappointed in the direction our education system is taking us in my state and county. It's all about the pass rate on the test and looking at data. My students are so much more than data! Ugh! I'm sure you can all relate and have stories very similar to mine. I'm just disheartened. :-( Ali/FL ___ 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] Saddened by Administration Mandate: Students and Choice Reading In Class
Believe me, many of us know exactly how you feel!! And in regard to your colleagues, remember this quote by Martin Luther King: In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/26954.html [image: [info]] http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/26954.html[image: [add]] http://www.quotationspage.com/myquotations.php?add=26954[image: [mail]] http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/26954.html#email *Martin Luther King Jr.* On Fri, May 25, 2012 at 4:53 PM, rascal...@aol.com wrote: I'm not sure why I'm posting this, other than I'm searching for some company in my despair. Or possibly you can lead me to some ways to deal with this situation. Today, as we were closing up school for the year, we were discussing next year's kids and administration wanted to know how we were going to group them. (That in and of itself always bothers me). However the statement that truly sent me spinning, was in regard to giving the students individual reading time within class. My administrator flat out told me (and my team), We do not give the students time to read in class. You must be working with the students in small groups and they should be engaged in 'targeted skills not reading. Of course my response was, How do we expect our students to become better readers if we don't give them time to read (of course teaching them how to read)? She simply said, They have to do that at home. Close of discussion. No one else on my team said anything...they just agreed with her. My heart sank. I am so disappointed in the direction our education system is taking us in my state and county. It's all about the pass rate on the test and looking at data. My students are so much more than data! Ugh! I'm sure you can all relate and have stories very similar to mine. I'm just disheartened. :-( Ali/FL ___ 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 -- Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. Henry David Thoreau ___ 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] Saddened by Administration Mandate: Students and Choice Reading In Class
We are just emerging from a number of years of focused instruction in reading. They DO need time to read in class...it is not going to happen at home. Yes, working with small groups could happen at the same time. I am looking into the Daily 5 for 8th grade on a modified basis. With the Common Core, students need to build reading stamina across all content areas as well as being able to create a response to literature that is not multiple choice. Skills are necessary, but only part of the reading process. Keep advocating for your students. Kris On May 25, 2012, at 3:53 PM, rascal...@aol.com wrote: I'm not sure why I'm posting this, other than I'm searching for some company in my despair. Or possibly you can lead me to some ways to deal with this situation. Today, as we were closing up school for the year, we were discussing next year's kids and administration wanted to know how we were going to group them. (That in and of itself always bothers me). However the statement that truly sent me spinning, was in regard to giving the students individual reading time within class. My administrator flat out told me (and my team), We do not give the students time to read in class. You must be working with the students in small groups and they should be engaged in 'targeted skills not reading. Of course my response was, How do we expect our students to become better readers if we don't give them time to read (of course teaching them how to read)? She simply said, They have to do that at home. Close of discussion. No one else on my team said anything...they just agreed with her. My heart sank. I am so disappointed in the direction our education system is taking us in my state and county. It's all about the pass rate on the test and looking at data. My students are so much more than data! Ugh! I'm sure you can all relate and have stories very similar to mine. I'm just disheartened. :-( Ali/FL ___ 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] Saddened by Administration Mandate: Students and Choice Reading ...
My point exactly! Ali In a message dated 5/25/2012 7:46:29 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, soozq55...@aol.com writes: I'm sure if they wanted better basketball players, they would have the kids shoot a million baskets each day. What are people thinking? What about kids that have no support at home? And they will wonder why the gap keeps getting bigger? Ugh! Sue Moore On May 25, 2012, at 6:53 PM, rascal...@aol.com wrote: I'm not sure why I'm posting this, other than I'm searching for some company in my despair. Or possibly you can lead me to some ways to deal with this situation. Today, as we were closing up school for the year, we were discussing next year's kids and administration wanted to know how we were going to group them. (That in and of itself always bothers me). However the statement that truly sent me spinning, was in regard to giving the students individual reading time within class. My administrator flat out told me (and my team), We do not give the students time to read in class. You must be working with the students in small groups and they should be engaged in 'targeted skills not reading. Of course my response was, How do we expect our students to become better readers if we don't give them time to read (of course teaching them how to read)? She simply said, They have to do that at home. Close of discussion. No one else on my team said anything...they just agreed with her. My heart sank. I am so disappointed in the direction our education system is taking us in my state and county. It's all about the pass rate on the test and looking at data. My students are so much more than data! Ugh! I'm sure you can all relate and have stories very similar to mine. I'm just disheartened. :-( Ali/FL ___ 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] Saddened by Administration Mandate: Students and Choice Reading In Class
Ali/FL I am in NC and in the county that I teach in and in my particular school guided reading (in small groups) is a must. You target teaching prompts and discussions based on the good things you see/hear readers do and teaching strategies that you see that would help students in areas that were observed during the reading portion. We also have a word work time where you work with students using analolgy charts, making words, sound boxes, or sound sorts. We follow the Jan Richardson to fidelity. Lindy/NC Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry -Original Message- From: rascal...@aol.com rascal...@aol.com Sender: mosaic-bounces+lkirkman=randolph.k12.nc...@literacyworkshop.org mosaic-bounces+lkirkman=randolph.k12.nc...@literacyworkshop.org Date: Fri, 25 May 2012 18:53:23 To: mosaic@literacyworkshop.orgmosaic@literacyworkshop.org Reply-To: Mosaic: A Reading Comprehension Strategies Email Group mosaic@literacyworkshop.org Subject: [MOSAIC] Saddened by Administration Mandate: Students and Choice Reading In Class I'm not sure why I'm posting this, other than I'm searching for some company in my despair. Or possibly you can lead me to some ways to deal with this situation. Today, as we were closing up school for the year, we were discussing next year's kids and administration wanted to know how we were going to group them. (That in and of itself always bothers me). However the statement that truly sent me spinning, was in regard to giving the students individual reading time within class. My administrator flat out told me (and my team), We do not give the students time to read in class. You must be working with the students in small groups and they should be engaged in 'targeted skills not reading. Of course my response was, How do we expect our students to become better readers if we don't give them time to read (of course teaching them how to read)? She simply said, They have to do that at home. Close of discussion. No one else on my team said anything...they just agreed with her. My heart sank. I am so disappointed in the direction our education system is taking us in my state and county. It's all about the pass rate on the test and looking at data. My students are so much more than data! Ugh! I'm sure you can all relate and have stories very similar to mine. I'm just disheartened. :-( Ali/FL ___ 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 All e-mail correspondence to and from this address is subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law, which may result in monitoring and disclosure to third parties, including law enforcement. ___ 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] Saddened by Administration Mandate: Students and Choice Reading ...
Perhaps you can use some research by Richard Allington to support a stance of a blend/balanced instruction which includes both reading (in school) and explicit instruction. A cornerstone article of his that I use is The 6 T's for Effective Instruction. You can find it through an internet search, easily. -pauline Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry -Original Message- From: rascal...@aol.com Sender: mosaic-bounces+pknagle717=gmail@literacyworkshop.org Date: Fri, 25 May 2012 19:52:29 To: mosaic@literacyworkshop.org Reply-To: Mosaic: A Reading Comprehension Strategies Email Group mosaic@literacyworkshop.org Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] Saddened by Administration Mandate: Students and Choice Reading ... My point exactly! Ali In a message dated 5/25/2012 7:46:29 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, soozq55...@aol.com writes: I'm sure if they wanted better basketball players, they would have the kids shoot a million baskets each day. What are people thinking? What about kids that have no support at home? And they will wonder why the gap keeps getting bigger? Ugh! Sue Moore On May 25, 2012, at 6:53 PM, rascal...@aol.com wrote: I'm not sure why I'm posting this, other than I'm searching for some company in my despair. Or possibly you can lead me to some ways to deal with this situation. Today, as we were closing up school for the year, we were discussing next year's kids and administration wanted to know how we were going to group them. (That in and of itself always bothers me). However the statement that truly sent me spinning, was in regard to giving the students individual reading time within class. My administrator flat out told me (and my team), We do not give the students time to read in class. You must be working with the students in small groups and they should be engaged in 'targeted skills not reading. Of course my response was, How do we expect our students to become better readers if we don't give them time to read (of course teaching them how to read)? She simply said, They have to do that at home. Close of discussion. No one else on my team said anything...they just agreed with her. My heart sank. I am so disappointed in the direction our education system is taking us in my state and county. It's all about the pass rate on the test and looking at data. My students are so much more than data! Ugh! I'm sure you can all relate and have stories very similar to mine. I'm just disheartened. :-( Ali/FL ___ 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 ___ 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] Saddened by Administration Mandate: Students and Choice Reading In Class
I'm sure if they wanted better basketball players, they would have the kids shoot a million baskets each day. What are people thinking? What about kids that have no support at home? And they will wonder why the gap keeps getting bigger? Ugh! Sue Moore On May 25, 2012, at 6:53 PM, rascal...@aol.com wrote: I'm not sure why I'm posting this, other than I'm searching for some company in my despair. Or possibly you can lead me to some ways to deal with this situation. Today, as we were closing up school for the year, we were discussing next year's kids and administration wanted to know how we were going to group them. (That in and of itself always bothers me). However the statement that truly sent me spinning, was in regard to giving the students individual reading time within class. My administrator flat out told me (and my team), We do not give the students time to read in class. You must be working with the students in small groups and they should be engaged in 'targeted skills not reading. Of course my response was, How do we expect our students to become better readers if we don't give them time to read (of course teaching them how to read)? She simply said, They have to do that at home. Close of discussion. No one else on my team said anything...they just agreed with her. My heart sank. I am so disappointed in the direction our education system is taking us in my state and county. It's all about the pass rate on the test and looking at data. My students are so much more than data! Ugh! I'm sure you can all relate and have stories very similar to mine. I'm just disheartened. :-( Ali/FL ___ 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] Saddened by Administration Mandate: Students and Choice Reading ...
To Richard Allington, I'd add Jeff McQuistan and Steven Krashen. Also, Elaine Garan has a great book out where she clarifies what the actual NRP report was and contrasts it to what is in the summary. It's especially interesting, I think, because she goes right into their own data to get her answers. It's Smart Answers to Tough Questions: What to Say When You're Asked About Fluency, Phonics, Grammar, Vocabulary, SSR, Tests, Support for ELLS, and More published by Scholastic. You might like her answer on p. 102 where she says, In fact, research proves that too much training in fluency can actually *interfere* with comprehension. And a little later, The federal government's research proves that when kids in first grade are just beginning to read, fluency does help comprehension--up to a point. After that, too much speed can be counterproductive. Faster in not always better. The research shows that for older students, or for students who are beyond a beginning read level, faster pronunciation of words doesn't help them become better readers. Or on page 103, It's possible to read with fluency, even with correct phrasing, and have virtually no idea of the text's meaning. Often the disconnect between reading speed and the ability to comprehend is the result of too much focus on reading fast. Page 104: When I first started teaching, I used to rush my students through reading, ;Faster, faster, faster. Then I studied the reserarch and discovered the harm that I was doing. My own experience confirms what the research shows. I have found that giving students more time for sustained silent reading--just the practice of eyes on text --actually helps them become more fluent than forcing them to read quickly. I also do lots of reading aloud and shared reading so that my students, especially the English language learners, become totally surrounded--*marinated*--in the sounds of language. Immersion in literacy is a brilliant way to help my class become better, more expressive readers at the same time they develop a love of literature. I believe--and research confirms--that speed-reading is a hindrance instead of a help to your child. It keeps him from reaching the goal we all share for his future as an intelligent, thoughtful, lifelong reader. I'd also like to recommend Steven L. Layne's* Igniting a Passion for Reading *. I heard Timothy Ransinski speak a couple of years ago and he says he's absolutely mortified what some folk (especially in commercial publishing enterprises and tutoring systems) have done to distort his input on the NRP. He spoke again about the things we can do to increase fluency that have nothing to do with inauthentic actifvities. I hope anyone who is a reading specialist who gets lots of questions about how to help with fluency reads one of the practical books I cited in an earlier post. There are things we can do if we educate ourselves. And none of those cost money or take storage space such as kits or software. The teacher figures out what really helps and does it. Hmmm, what a revolutionary idea! On Fri, May 25, 2012 at 6:56 PM, pknagle...@gmail.com wrote: Perhaps you can use some research by Richard Allington to support a stance of a blend/balanced instruction which includes both reading (in school) and explicit instruction. A cornerstone article of his that I use is The 6 T's for Effective Instruction. You can find it through an internet search, easily. -pauline Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry -Original Message- From: rascal...@aol.com Sender: mosaic-bounces+pknagle717=gmail@literacyworkshop.org Date: Fri, 25 May 2012 19:52:29 To: mosaic@literacyworkshop.org Reply-To: Mosaic: A Reading Comprehension Strategies Email Group mosaic@literacyworkshop.org Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] Saddened by Administration Mandate: Students and Choice Reading ... My point exactly! Ali In a message dated 5/25/2012 7:46:29 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, soozq55...@aol.com writes: I'm sure if they wanted better basketball players, they would have the kids shoot a million baskets each day. What are people thinking? What about kids that have no support at home? And they will wonder why the gap keeps getting bigger? Ugh! Sue Moore On May 25, 2012, at 6:53 PM, rascal...@aol.com wrote: I'm not sure why I'm posting this, other than I'm searching for some company in my despair. Or possibly you can lead me to some ways to deal with this situation. Today, as we were closing up school for the year, we were discussing next year's kids and administration wanted to know how we were going to group them. (That in and of itself always bothers me). However the statement that truly sent me spinning, was in regard to giving the students individual reading time within class. My administrator flat out told me (and my team), We do not give the students time to read in class. You must be working
Re: [MOSAIC] Saddened by Administration Mandate: Students and Choice Reading ...
John Cook, Nebraska's legendary volleyball coach, says, It's all about the reps. All about the reps. The question remains which reps. I would contend that a VB practice would include putting skills together that really shouldn't have been taken apart would be more valuable than reps of (1) running to the net, (2) at the net, jumping up with hand extended, (3) from a jumping position, kill the ball. You teach all the individual skills THAT ARE NECESSARY IN THE LONG TERM to be successful. Those simply aren't isolated skills in any authentic reading task. An example of poor reps to do to succeed in the short term, but fail in the long term, would be running pall mall across the court no matter what position you're playing to return the ball even if it forces other players to disengage from plans. It's nice maybe, it looks like the girl is hustling, but it creates some very bad habits, even though it's real flashy up front. Another favorite quote, If you don't really know where you want to go, how will you know when you get there? Leaders in education today seem to fail when it comes to panorama views. Sometimes you just have to change your viewer. I also like, “Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts.” That's great to think about when we assess the daylights out of everyone. On Fri, May 25, 2012 at 5:52 PM, rascal...@aol.com wrote: My point exactly! Ali In a message dated 5/25/2012 7:46:29 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, soozq55...@aol.com writes: I'm sure if they wanted better basketball players, they would have the kids shoot a million baskets each day. What are people thinking? What about kids that have no support at home? And they will wonder why the gap keeps getting bigger? Ugh! Sue Moore On May 25, 2012, at 6:53 PM, rascal...@aol.com wrote: I'm not sure why I'm posting this, other than I'm searching for some company in my despair. Or possibly you can lead me to some ways to deal with this situation. Today, as we were closing up school for the year, we were discussing next year's kids and administration wanted to know how we were going to group them. (That in and of itself always bothers me). However the statement that truly sent me spinning, was in regard to giving the students individual reading time within class. My administrator flat out told me (and my team), We do not give the students time to read in class. You must be working with the students in small groups and they should be engaged in 'targeted skills not reading. Of course my response was, How do we expect our students to become better readers if we don't give them time to read (of course teaching them how to read)? She simply said, They have to do that at home. Close of discussion. No one else on my team said anything...they just agreed with her. My heart sank. I am so disappointed in the direction our education system is taking us in my state and county. It's all about the pass rate on the test and looking at data. My students are so much more than data! Ugh! I'm sure you can all relate and have stories very similar to mine. I'm just disheartened. :-( Ali/FL ___ 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 -- Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. Henry David Thoreau ___ 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
