"A list for improving literacy with focus on middle grades." <[email protected]> on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 at 4:09 PM -0500 wrote: >We are in the process of designing a core curriculum map in the four major >content areas. It will be designed as a means for teachers to articulate >by >trimester the WHAT and the HOW LONG of their instruction. I am wondering >if >any participant has the experience of doing this activity with STRATEGIES >as >the basis for the reporting. > Hi!
I don't have this experience directly, but I have managed to move my school a bit in this direction. My office mate, who teaches science and math, completely understands what middle school kids need and is always open to looking for connections between our courses. So for example, we share resources for teaching research skills, and make sure to require the same format for footnotes and bibliographies. I also have built a strong and open relationship with our Academic Dean - we have supported each other at several key moments, and have come to rely on each other - and this enables me to periodically drop by and ask "So what do you think of this idea?" If you have that kind of relationship with "the Powers that Be" as you call them, making an appointment to ask their opinion certainly won't hurt - at worst, it may plant a seed which will germinate down the line. If not, you could look for strategic connections yourself, e.g. "Oh, you're teaching research techniques? Me too! Wouldn't it make sense if we taught the kids the same set of skills and strategies? What strategies are you using?" The idea is that be forging those first few connections, teachers will begin to understand the usefulness and importance, and thus look for even more connections. Just a thought on my part. Like Mary Lou, I'd love to hear from people - if indeed this has happened to anyone - who have integrated a look at the teaching of strategies into the curricular map work. Take care, Bill Ivey Stoneleigh-Burnham 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. Search the LIT archives at http://snipurl.com/LITArchive
