Patricia, Don't apologize for adding your advice!!! I really appreciate this info - I need all that I can get. Thanks!
~Tina Tina B's Designs http://www.tinabsdesigns.com "Without a vision for tomorrow, hope is impossible." ~ Paolo Freire ----- Original Message ----- From: Patricia Sankey To: A list for improving literacy with focus on middle grades. Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2006 8:45 AM Subject: Re: [LIT] What is the most effective thing you do asa literacyteacher? Tina, I am breaking into your conversation with Heather, my apologies. I teach 6-8th grade kids who were minimal on our State test in reading. I have the kids read for 15 minutes silently and then have them complete a 2 column response journal. On the left side they write the plot events, literal details. On the right, they respond in any fashion they want. I model evaluating the text one day, then the next I might take one idea from the reading and write about how it fits with my life, the next day then I might write a poem based on what I read about. I have had GREAT success with the responses. The kids are thinking more deeply and making strong connections to the text. When the kids are finished reading their independent book, my paraprofessional takes them and has them retell the details to her and discusses the different types of responses they have, and what they see themselves doing most often. She encourages them to stretch their responses to see where their thoughts might take them. I stole this idea from Stephanie Harvey at a reading convention. She modeled with the book The Librarian of Basra by Jeanette Winter. Hope this helps! I'm looking forward to hearing what others do! Patricia Sankey Reading Specialist Templeton Middle School _______________________________________________ The Literacy Workshop ListServ http://www.literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/lit_literacyworkshop.org.
