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
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