Re: [Understand] Schedules
I agree about departmentalization. We tried it at our school, and abandoned it after the second year. However, it is harder to teach science or social studies through reading, because the kids need to read the info on their reading level and you have to find qualtiy materials at differentiated reading levels. It's not that we are lazy, but it's frustrating when your school doesn't have the resources to do it properly. Joy/NC/4 How children learn is as important as what they learn: process and content go hand in hand. http://www.responsiveclassroom.org --- On Sat, 11/22/08, Janice Friesen [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: From: Janice Friesen [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Understand] Schedules To: Special Chat List for To Understand: New Horizons in Reading Comprehension understand@literacyworkshop.org Date: Saturday, November 22, 2008, 3:40 PM Suzie wrote: Jennifer we have been told 70 minutes for math and an hour for reading daily so where do you fit in Science, Social Studies and everything in the day? I am finding it impossible. and Margo wrote: Thanks Jennifer for saying, If you can integrate more reading into the content areas that would help I totally agree with you and am trying to figure out how to help the classroom teachers see this. I am so new to the Literacy Teacher Leader role that I have to learn how to tread lightly. ~Margo I am the technology instructional specialist at my school. I almost became a reading specialist early in my career which is why I have read To Understand and have such a passion for reading. I am seeing that Departmentalization is becoming more prevalent. In my school 3rd, 4th and 5th grades are all departmentalized. I understand that this is easier on a teacher. A teacher can become a MATH specialist and focus on just teaching math. Preparation is much easier. I know it is NOT because teachers are slackers because even so my classroom teacher friends work extremely hard. However, I wonder how CAN anyone really teach anything in depth in the time that you have when you departmentalize? Can't science and social studies be taught in the context of teaching reading and writing or does everything really have to be so separate? It just doesn't seem like things are that separate in the real world. Janice ___ Understand mailing list Understand@literacyworkshop.org http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/listinfo/understand_literacyworkshop.org ___ Understand mailing list Understand@literacyworkshop.org http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/listinfo/understand_literacyworkshop.org
Re: [Understand] Schedules
I agree about finding materials. I am currently writing think alouds for teachers in grades 3, 4 and 5. I plan the think alouds using the Comprehension Toolkit (every teacher has one). Last spring each grade level had one representative met to try to calendarize curriculum. We developed a sort of calendar for when they would be teaching what. We included all subjects except math. So, in writing these think alouds, I try to find material from Cobblestone, Odyssey, Image magazines that integrates with the content. I try to find material that is engaging and a bit difficult for the average student in the class. I have also tried to used the social studies textbook (we don't have a science textbook), but it often doesn't lend itself to the objective of the Comrpehension Toolkit or our state objectives. Finding the material--THAT IS THE HARDEST PART! The writing of the think aloud is not so difficult once the material is found. I'm frustrated because when teachers say they don't have enough time in their day (I totally agree), administration blithely assumes they can integrate social studies or science and teach reading strategies. Another example of being a great idea, but difficult to execute. Carol On Nov 24, 2008, at 5:07 AM, Joy wrote: I agree about departmentalization. We tried it at our school, and abandoned it after the second year. However, it is harder to teach science or social studies through reading, because the kids need to read the info on their reading level and you have to find qualtiy materials at differentiated reading levels. It's not that we are lazy, but it's frustrating when your school doesn't have the resources to do it properly. Joy/NC/4 How children learn is as important as what they learn: process and content go hand in hand. http://www.responsiveclassroom.org --- On Sat, 11/22/08, Janice Friesen [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: From: Janice Friesen [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Understand] Schedules To: Special Chat List for To Understand: New Horizons in Reading Comprehension understand@literacyworkshop.org Date: Saturday, November 22, 2008, 3:40 PM Suzie wrote: Jennifer we have been told 70 minutes for math and an hour for reading daily so where do you fit in Science, Social Studies and everything in the day? I am finding it impossible. and Margo wrote: Thanks Jennifer for saying, If you can integrate more reading into the content areas that would help I totally agree with you and am trying to figure out how to help the classroom teachers see this. I am so new to the Literacy Teacher Leader role that I have to learn how to tread lightly. ~Margo I am the technology instructional specialist at my school. I almost became a reading specialist early in my career which is why I have read To Understand and have such a passion for reading. I am seeing that Departmentalization is becoming more prevalent. In my school 3rd, 4th and 5th grades are all departmentalized. I understand that this is easier on a teacher. A teacher can become a MATH specialist and focus on just teaching math. Preparation is much easier. I know it is NOT because teachers are slackers because even so my classroom teacher friends work extremely hard. However, I wonder how CAN anyone really teach anything in depth in the time that you have when you departmentalize? Can't science and social studies be taught in the context of teaching reading and writing or does everything really have to be so separate? It just doesn't seem like things are that separate in the real world. Janice ___ Understand mailing list Understand@literacyworkshop.org http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/listinfo/ understand_literacyworkshop.org ___ Understand mailing list Understand@literacyworkshop.org http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/listinfo/ understand_literacyworkshop.org ___ Understand mailing list Understand@literacyworkshop.org http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/listinfo/understand_literacyworkshop.org
Re: [Understand] Schedules
You know, I'd have to say (in my opinion) that we greatly diminish our possibilities of teaching for understanding when we departmentalize. Maybe that's why, in my entire career, I have NEVER seen any studies that show that departmentalization increases student learning. It is certainly not developmentally appropriate for 3rd or 4th graders. And it goes against all the research about learning and transfer in content integration. I am the technology instructional specialist at my school. I almost became a reading specialist early in my career which is why I have read To Understand and have such a passion for reading. I am seeing that Departmentalization is becoming more prevalent. In my school 3rd, 4th and 5th grades are all departmentalized. I understand that this is easier on a teacher. A teacher can become a MATH specialist and focus on just teaching math. Preparation is much easier. I know it is NOT because teachers are slackers because even so my classroom teacher friends work extremely hard. However, I wonder how CAN anyone really teach anything in depth in the time that you have when you departmentalize? Can't science and social studies be taught in the context of teaching reading and writing or does everything really have to be so separate? It just doesn't seem like things are that separate in the real world. Janice _ Color coding for safety: Windows Live Hotmail alerts you to suspicious email. http://windowslive.com/Explore/Hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_hotmail_acq_safety_112008 ___ Understand mailing list Understand@literacyworkshop.org http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/listinfo/understand_literacyworkshop.org
Re: [Understand] Schedules
I agree with Joy about content resources and their limited quantity in most schools. But the really wonderful thing is that there are fabulous leveled books that are available for purchase. When I ordered for our leveled library at the outset, I ordered many nonfiction titles in the content we were teaching at the time. And I've been able to keep up with changes by ordering a few more each year. I ordered heavily from Newbridge, Sundance, Mondo, National Geographic, Crabtree, Scholastic, Red Brick, Yellow Umbrella, Rigby, Wright, and Children's Press. Some of our teachers use leveled books exclusively for their year's social studies and some for specific units int heir texts. I agree about departmentalization. We tried it at our school, and abandoned it after the second year. However, it is harder to teach science or social studies through reading, because the kids need to read the info on their reading level and you have to find qualtiy materials at differentiated reading levels. It's not that we are lazy, but it's frustrating when your school doesn't have the resources to do it properly. _ Access your email online and on the go with Windows Live Hotmail. http://windowslive.com/Explore/Hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_hotmail_acq_access_112008 ___ Understand mailing list Understand@literacyworkshop.org http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/listinfo/understand_literacyworkshop.org
Re: [Understand] Schedules
Bev, I hated it when we departmentalized. I can take a student with an interest or affinity for math and hook them into reading, writing, science, and social studies. I know the kid better, and can have richer conversations with them. Joy/NC/4 How children learn is as important as what they learn: process and content go hand in hand. http://www.responsiveclassroom.org --- On Mon, 11/24/08, Beverlee Paul [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: From: Beverlee Paul [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Understand] Schedules To: understand@literacyworkshop.org Date: Monday, November 24, 2008, 1:02 PM You know, I'd have to say (in my opinion) that we greatly diminish our possibilities of teaching for understanding when we departmentalize. Maybe that's why, in my entire career, I have NEVER seen any studies that show that departmentalization increases student learning. It is certainly not developmentally appropriate for 3rd or 4th graders. And it goes against all the research about learning and transfer in content integration. I am the technology instructional specialist at my school. I almost became a reading specialist early in my career which is why I have read To Understand and have such a passion for reading. I am seeing that Departmentalization is becoming more prevalent. In my school 3rd, 4th and 5th grades are all departmentalized. I understand that this is easier on a teacher. A teacher can become a MATH specialist and focus on just teaching math. Preparation is much easier. I know it is NOT because teachers are slackers because even so my classroom teacher friends work extremely hard. However, I wonder how CAN anyone really teach anything in depth in the time that you have when you departmentalize? Can't science and social studies be taught in the context of teaching reading and writing or does everything really have to be so separate? It just doesn't seem like things are that separate in the real world. Janice _ Color coding for safety: Windows Live Hotmail alerts you to suspicious email. http://windowslive.com/Explore/Hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_hotmail_acq_safety_112008 ___ Understand mailing list Understand@literacyworkshop.org http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/listinfo/understand_literacyworkshop.org ___ Understand mailing list Understand@literacyworkshop.org http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/listinfo/understand_literacyworkshop.org
Re: [Understand] Schedules
We have 65 minutes for math, 30 minutes each day for social studies and 30 minutes for science in the intermediate grades. Special area classes are 40 minutes daily. We start school at 8:55 and end at 3:30. It is tight, but it all fits. Jennifer Palmer Reading Specialist, National Board Certified Teacher FLES- Lead the discovery, Live the learning, Love the adventure. Children grow into the intellectual life around them. -Vygotsky From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] on behalf of suzie herb Sent: Mon 11/3/2008 7:18 PM To: Special Chat List for To Understand: New Horizons in ReadingComprehension Subject: Re: [Understand] Schedules Jennifer we have been told 70 minutes for math and an hour for reading daily so where do you fit in Science, Social Studies and everything in the day? I am finding it impossible. --- On Tue, 4/11/08, Palmer, Jennifer [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: From: Palmer, Jennifer [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Understand] Schedules To: Special Chat List for To Understand: New Horizons in Reading Comprehension understand@literacyworkshop.org Received: Tuesday, 4 November, 2008, 9:54 AM We have in grades 4-5 70 minutes for reading, and 45 minutes for writing plus 30 minutes for SSR and 10 minutes or so daily for spelling. I don't think you have enough time to do it all in 60 minutes. If you can integrate more reading into the content areas that would help... Jennifer Palmer Reading Specialist, National Board Certified Teacher FLES- Lead the discovery, Live the learning, Love the adventure. Children grow into the intellectual life around them. -Vygotsky From: Mike Margo Grace Sent: Mon 11/3/2008 4:38 PM To: understand@literacyworkshop.org Subject: Re: [Understand] Schedules Hello! This is my first post and I want to start by saying THANK YOU to everyone who has been adding to the discussion. I am loving it all. I am a former Reading Recovery Teacher who has been transferred this year to a job as literacy coach/ teacher leader for grades 3 and 4. So I am kind of new to all of this. I am really very interested in how you are finding time to get in all the necessary literacy pieces. I read from Beverlee: I do a combination of things because we are Reading First. We can't do writer's workshop or spelling during reading time. I do teach strategies with the core and with read alouds. I also use The Daily 5 to help with independent reading habits. It is awesome and powerful. Students do become independent. I have flexible groups and use workstations. I think when I used to use centers, it was busy work (worksheets). Now I use Debbie Diller's workstations and make sure it is purposeful. Kids do like to be up and about. I have 8 different stations each week and it really works - kids are engaged and a lot of reading does go on. My independent reading time is separate from the 90 minute block. Writing is also separate. I don't see how it can all fit in a day. Unfortunately the 3rd and 4th grade teachers in my school are now departmentalized. One teacher for Langue Arts one for Math and one for Science and Social Studies. The Reading Block is an hour and there is an additional 45 minutes for a writing block. Can anyone share with me how you are making this work? Thanks, Margo ___ Understand mailing list Understand@literacyworkshop.org http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/listinfo/understand_literacyworkshop.org ___ Understand mailing list Understand@literacyworkshop.org http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/listinfo/understand_literacyworkshop.org Search 1000's of available singles in your area at the new Yahoo!7 Dating. Get Started http://au.dating.yahoo.com/?cid=53151pid=1011 ___ Understand mailing list Understand@literacyworkshop.org http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/listinfo/understand_literacyworkshop.org ___ Understand mailing list Understand@literacyworkshop.org http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/listinfo/understand_literacyworkshop.org
Re: [Understand] Schedules
One of the things I've become grateful for as I read posts from folks around the country is that we have school from 8:00 to 3:15 every day. You still can't get everything in you need, but it's better than some. I look at the school schedules in Oregon where my friend teaches and I'm amazed by how little the kids go to school! We do go many fewer days than other districts, though. We're currently at 182. Date: Tue, 4 Nov 2008 08:29:39 -0500 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; understand@literacyworkshop.org Subject: Re: [Understand] Schedules We have 65 minutes for math, 30 minutes each day for social studies and 30 minutes for science in the intermediate grades. Special area classes are 40 minutes daily. We start school at 8:55 and end at 3:30. It is tight, but it all fits. Jennifer Palmer Reading Specialist, National Board Certified Teacher FLES- Lead the discovery, Live the learning, Love the adventure. Children grow into the intellectual life around them. -Vygotsky From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] on behalf of suzie herb Sent: Mon 11/3/2008 7:18 PM To: Special Chat List for To Understand: New Horizons in ReadingComprehension Subject: Re: [Understand] SchedulesJennifer we have been told 70 minutes for math and an hour for reading daily so where do you fit in Science, Social Studies and everything in the day? I am finding it impossible. --- On Tue, 4/11/08, Palmer, Jennifer [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: From: Palmer, Jennifer [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Understand] Schedules To: Special Chat List for To Understand: New Horizons in Reading Comprehension understand@literacyworkshop.org Received: Tuesday, 4 November, 2008, 9:54 AM We have in grades 4-5 70 minutes for reading, and 45 minutes for writing plus 30 minutes for SSR and 10 minutes or so daily for spelling. I don't think you have enough time to do it all in 60 minutes. If you can integrate more reading into the content areas that would help... Jennifer Palmer Reading Specialist, National Board Certified Teacher FLES- Lead the discovery, Live the learning, Love the adventure. Children grow into the intellectual life around them. -Vygotsky From: Mike Margo Grace Sent: Mon 11/3/2008 4:38 PM To: understand@literacyworkshop.org Subject: Re: [Understand] Schedules Hello! This is my first post and I want to start by saying THANK YOU to everyone who has been adding to the discussion. I am loving it all. I am a former Reading Recovery Teacher who has been transferred this year to a job as literacy coach/ teacher leader for grades 3 and 4. So I am kind of new to all of this. I am really very interested in how you are finding time to get in all the necessary literacy pieces. I read from Beverlee: I do a combination of things because we are Reading First. We can't do writer's workshop or spelling during reading time. I do teach strategies with the core and with read alouds. I also use The Daily 5 to help with independent reading habits. It is awesome and powerful. Students do become independent. I have flexible groups and use workstations. I think when I used to use centers, it was busy work (worksheets). Now I use Debbie Diller's workstations and make sure it is purposeful. Kids do like to be up and about. I have 8 different stations each week and it really works - kids are engaged and a lot of reading does go on. My independent reading time is separate from the 90 minute block. Writing is also separate. I don't see how it can all fit in a day. Unfortunately the 3rd and 4th grade teachers in my school are now departmentalized. One teacher for Langue Arts one for Math and one for Science and Social Studies. The Reading Block is an hour and there is an additional 45 minutes for a writing block. Can anyone share with me how you are making this work? Thanks, Margo ___ Understand mailing list Understand@literacyworkshop.org http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/listinfo/understand_literacyworkshop.org ___ Understand mailing list Understand@literacyworkshop.org http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/listinfo/understand_literacyworkshop.org Search 1000's of available singles in your area at the new Yahoo!7 Dating. Get Started http://au.dating.yahoo.com/?cid=53151pid=1011 ___ Understand mailing list Understand@literacyworkshop.org http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/listinfo/understand_literacyworkshop.org _ Store, manage and share up to 5GB with Windows Live SkyDrive. http://skydrive.live.com/welcome.aspx?provision=1?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_skydrive_102008 ___ Understand mailing list Understand@literacyworkshop.org http://literacyworkshop.org
Re: [Understand] Schedules
Thanks Jennifer for saying, If you can integrate more reading into the content areas that would help I totally agree with you and am trying to figure out how to help the classroom teachers see this. I am so new to the Literacy Teacher Leader role that I have to learn how to tread lightly. ~Margo ___ Understand mailing list Understand@literacyworkshop.org http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/listinfo/understand_literacyworkshop.org
Re: [Understand] Schedules
Hello! This is my first post and I want to start by saying THANK YOU to everyone who has been adding to the discussion. I am loving it all. I am a former Reading Recovery Teacher who has been transferred this year to a job as literacy coach/ teacher leader for grades 3 and 4. So I am kind of new to all of this. I am really very interested in how you are finding time to get in all the necessary literacy pieces. I read from Beverlee: I do a combination of things because we are Reading First. We can't do writer's workshop or spelling during reading time. I do teach strategies with the core and with read alouds. I also use The Daily 5 to help with independent reading habits. It is awesome and powerful. Students do become independent. I have flexible groups and use workstations. I think when I used to use centers, it was busy work (worksheets). Now I use Debbie Diller's workstations and make sure it is purposeful. Kids do like to be up and about. I have 8 different stations each week and it really works - kids are engaged and a lot of reading does go on. My independent reading time is separate from the 90 minute block. Writing is also separate. I don't see how it can all fit in a day. Unfortunately the 3rd and 4th grade teachers in my school are now departmentalized. One teacher for Langue Arts one for Math and one for Science and Social Studies. The Reading Block is an hour and there is an additional 45 minutes for a writing block. Can anyone share with me how you are making this work? Thanks, Margo ___ Understand mailing list Understand@literacyworkshop.org http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/listinfo/understand_literacyworkshop.org
Re: [Understand] Schedules
Jennifer we have been told 70 minutes for math and an hour for reading daily so where do you fit in Science, Social Studies and everything in the day? I am finding it impossible. --- On Tue, 4/11/08, Palmer, Jennifer [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: From: Palmer, Jennifer [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Understand] Schedules To: Special Chat List for To Understand: New Horizons in Reading Comprehension understand@literacyworkshop.org Received: Tuesday, 4 November, 2008, 9:54 AM We have in grades 4-5 70 minutes for reading, and 45 minutes for writing plus 30 minutes for SSR and 10 minutes or so daily for spelling. I don't think you have enough time to do it all in 60 minutes. If you can integrate more reading into the content areas that would help... Jennifer Palmer Reading Specialist, National Board Certified Teacher FLES- Lead the discovery, Live the learning, Love the adventure. Children grow into the intellectual life around them. -Vygotsky From: Mike Margo Grace Sent: Mon 11/3/2008 4:38 PM To: understand@literacyworkshop.org Subject: Re: [Understand] Schedules Hello! This is my first post and I want to start by saying THANK YOU to everyone who has been adding to the discussion. I am loving it all. I am a former Reading Recovery Teacher who has been transferred this year to a job as literacy coach/ teacher leader for grades 3 and 4. So I am kind of new to all of this. I am really very interested in how you are finding time to get in all the necessary literacy pieces. I read from Beverlee: I do a combination of things because we are Reading First. We can't do writer's workshop or spelling during reading time. I do teach strategies with the core and with read alouds. I also use The Daily 5 to help with independent reading habits. It is awesome and powerful. Students do become independent. I have flexible groups and use workstations. I think when I used to use centers, it was busy work (worksheets). Now I use Debbie Diller's workstations and make sure it is purposeful. Kids do like to be up and about. I have 8 different stations each week and it really works - kids are engaged and a lot of reading does go on. My independent reading time is separate from the 90 minute block. Writing is also separate. I don't see how it can all fit in a day. Unfortunately the 3rd and 4th grade teachers in my school are now departmentalized. One teacher for Langue Arts one for Math and one for Science and Social Studies. The Reading Block is an hour and there is an additional 45 minutes for a writing block. Can anyone share with me how you are making this work? Thanks, Margo ___ Understand mailing list Understand@literacyworkshop.org http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/listinfo/understand_literacyworkshop.org ___ Understand mailing list Understand@literacyworkshop.org http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/listinfo/understand_literacyworkshop.org Search 1000's of available singles in your area at the new Yahoo!7 Dating. Get Started http://au.dating.yahoo.com/?cid=53151pid=1011 ___ Understand mailing list Understand@literacyworkshop.org http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/listinfo/understand_literacyworkshop.org
