On Nov 14, 2006, at 9:49 PM, Bill IVEY wrote: >> When schools create professional communities in which English, math, >> science, and social studies teachers collaborate with and support each >> other in delivering the most effective interdisciplinary instruction >> possible, students thrive. > > What do you think of these opinions - do you agree, partially agree, > disagree? What is your school doing along these lines that has been > successful?
Bill, interestingly at my school our principal created Reading Partnerships this year, wanting us to do more collaboration with and support of each other across the curriculum. At FCTE in October, Doug Fisher presented, showing us his school's literacy program. It was the right stuff at the right time. Since then, we have purchased a copy of his book (Improving Adolescent Literacy: Strategies at Work with Nancy Frey) for all teachers and are using it as a book study in our partnerships. Doug's group took a failing high school in San Diego to become a 90/90/90 school (90% free/reduced lunch, 90% minorities, 90% at or above proficiency on standardized achievement tests). It's Hoover High School (their "staff development" plan is on their web site, I think - I have it at school). Here are a couple of key points from the book: "We maintain that literacy must become the responsibility of the whole school. ... we believe every secondary teacher can assist in the literacy development of adolescents. ... All these high achieving schools shared another important element--they stick with their plans. These schools are not lurching from one fad to another - they are consistent. ... In other words, it is not a program, a set of books, or a box of materials that creates a high achieving school. IT IS ALWAYS THE TEACHERS WHO MATTER, AND WHAT THEY DO THAT MATTERS MOST." The book is set up around their 8 strategies and gives examples for every subject area, including some for electives. It is very user-friendly. So far at my school we have adopted three strategies that all teachers use weekly in some way; we instituted this before knowing about Fisher's work. We are now using the book as a foundation for discussion in our partnerships. We also are talking about how each of us models the importance of reading - from the PE teachers to the language arts teachers. It's too early to know any results but so far there is productive and honest communication occurring in the partnership groups - we are having "reflective conversations" and learning more about what actually happens in each other's classrooms. More sharing of resources is also occurring. Ginny White Fernandina Beach Middle (FL) _______________________________________________ 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. Search the LIT archives at http://snipurl.com/LITArchive
