Jaime, that's great. If it turns into a coaching role, there are a lot of books out there for advice about ways to approach colleagues, etc. I've bought several and found a couple more useful than others. I'll be glad to share if you're interested. Mary
On 3/8/08 2:27 PM, "Jaime Mendelis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I'm so glad to see that there may be a light at the end of the tunnel. My > district has decided to send me to literacy leadership courses, and if/when > I start working as a true literacy leader in my school, changing views on > reading and writing and whose "responsibility" it is will be a priority! > > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Mohrhauser, Sarah > Sent: Saturday, March 08, 2008 12:28 PM > To: A list for improving literacy with focus on middle grades. > Subject: Re: [LIT] Reading and Writing in all content areas > > I am a Literacy Coach at a Junior High. It is part of my job to help > the content teachers integrate reading and writing into their > curriculum, too. It is a hard job, and often a thankless one, since > many teachers are so focused on content that they can't see how much > reading and writing strategy instruction will actually help their > students understand the content better. > > I always start with a "what do you already do" stance. After listening > to the teachers talk, I can always find something that can be described > as reading and/or writing strategy. Then we can talk about being > intentional with that teaching; perhaps the teacher can extend the > lesson with specific discussion about the strategy instead of simply > using it. > > The other thing I find helpful is to have teachers of the same content > together while having this discussion. They talk the same content > language and can support each other. It is much more helpful then > having a mix of contents together. It is harder to get to deep > discussions about the kind of reading and writing that should be (and > sometimes is) going on in the classroom. > > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Heather Poland > Sent: Saturday, March 08, 2008 11:04 AM > To: A list for improving literacy with focus on middle grades. > Subject: Re: [LIT] Reading and Writing in all content areas > > Right - however, many many teachers aren't going to google it. I wish > there > were literacy coaches in EVERY school, elementary through high school to > help with this process. This is actually part of my job, helping content > area teachers integrate literacy strategies, but it is quite a > challenge! > > On Sat, Mar 8, 2008 at 8:57 AM, Alice Cortigiano <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > wrote: > >> I think that lots of content area teachers don't >> know where to begin though. >> >> "Google" is a great place to begin, tons of info on reading > strategies >> and >> ideas for teaching "reading" in the "content areas". >> >> :} Alice >> -----Original Message----- >> >> >> >> >> >> >> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Heather Poland >> Sent: Saturday, March 08, 2008 11:21 AM >> To: A list for improving literacy with focus on middle grades. >> Subject: Re: [LIT] Reading and Writing in all content areas >> >> I agree with both of you!. They need the students to get the content, > but >> they have not been taught how to teach the students how to read the > texts >> or >> how to instruct them in writing. They get frustrated and end up > dumbing >> down >> the reading and writing. I would love to see single subject credential >> programs have a course on this! >> >> On Sat, Mar 8, 2008 at 8:36 AM, ljackson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> >>> I agree. I see far too many content folks just assuming the kids > can >> read >>> what is put in front of them. I don't see their role as teaching >> reading >>> so >>> much as teaching genre and form. Understanding text features and > the >>> special kinds of strategies that make sense for the text book and > other >>> supplementals they may use is very much their job. >>> >>> Lori >>> >>> >>> On 3/8/08 8:02 AM, "Alice Cortigiano" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >>> >>>> >>>> Reading strategies should be known and used by all content > teachers. >> It >>> is >>>> not rocket science and if everyone used the same language it would >> help >>>> reinforce what the language arts teacher are trying very hard to > do in >>> the >>>> classroom. If it is only addressed in the LA classroom then there > will >>> be no >>>> application in other classes. >>>> >>>> Writing....social studies could focus on sequencing, > compare/contrast >>> and >>>> summarizing, science.....summarizing, compare/contrast essays, lab >>> reports, >>>> etc. Math, written explanations of what they are doing and why, > making >>> up >>>> and sharing their own word problems, summarizing what they have >> learned >>> in >>>> class.. >>>> >>>> The content teachers can NOT put all the writing off on the > language >>> arts >>>> teacher. They need to pull their weight here too. I have been on > both >>> sides >>>> of the fence and feel that we should all be teachers of reading > and >>> writing >>>> and that means more collaboration and integration. >>>> >>>> Maybe when SS teacher assigns a written report the LA teacher can > also >>> work >>>> with the students to support this assignment. Or, both teachers > can >>>> collaborate on what the students need to work on to support their >>> learning. >>>> When we just give out these assignments to do at home, we should > not >> be >>>> surprised at what we get back! >>>> >>>> JMHO! :) >>>> Alice >>>> >>>> -----Original Message----- >>>> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>>> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Mary Dovey >>>> Sent: Friday, March 07, 2008 5:58 PM >>>> To: A list for improving literacy with focus on middle grades. >>>> Subject: Re: [LIT] Course names help >>>> >>>> Hi Jaime- >>>> I used to feel the way you do, particularly when I was teaching > high >>> school >>>> English. Now, I don't, and here's why: middle school is the place >> where >>>> reading as a skill moves from decoding to comprehension very, very >>> quickly. >>>> Middle School reading teachers, besides teaching about literary >> genres, >>> and >>>> helping kids develop healthy independent reading habits, need to > focus >>>> largely on teaching comprehension skills to tackle difficult > content >>> area >>>> textbooks, newspapers, magazines, and other materials in the world > at >>> large. >>>> >>>> Science, social studies, math and other content teachers, however, > are >>> held >>>> responsible for making sure their students learn "the stuff" of > their >>>> disciplines, matter whether the learning is through reading, or >> hands-on >>>> activities. Most content teachers, I think, would agree that they > need >>> to be >>>> aware of techniques to assist their students in reading their >> textbooks. >>>> Fortunately, many of our content teachers have asked me for help > in >> ways >>> to >>>> build background knowledge, use active reading techniques such as >>> hotseating >>>> and tableaux, and interactive note-taking, etc. At the end of the > day, >>>> however, kids have to know the causes of the Civil War, fractions, > and >>> what >>>> body part is which. >>>> >>>> Our role as writing teachers is even more important: We teach the >>>> frustrating/exhilarating process of composing, the characteristics > of >>>> different writing genres and modes of writing, as well as the > traits >> of >>> all >>>> good writing. Great writing teachers find wonderful models of good >>> writing >>>> in and use these to create skill lessons. They modeling writing >>> ourselves, >>>> provide regular, daily time to write, conference with their > students, >>> and >>>> allowing kids to build portfolios of writing. We're less concerned >> with >>>> product, and more with a child's skill development as s/he > progresses >>> from >>>> one unit of study in writing to another. Content area teachers >> certainly >>>> should provide their students with models of what good writing in >> their >>>> classes looks like, but they're looking for product--the report on >> wind >>>> energy, the comparison/contrast essay on healthy eating habits, > etc. >>>> >>>> I think the role of a middle school reading/writing teacher is one > of >>> the >>>> hardest in a school because many of the moves we teach, both in >> reading >>> and >>>> in writing, are invisible! Making thinking and decision making > visible >>> to >>>> kids is a HUGE challenge, but it's also a blast, don't you think? >>>> Mary >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On 3/7/08 7:41 AM, "Jaime Mendelis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >>>> >>>>> It's English/Language Arts (ELA) at our school. I find calling a >> class >>>>> "Reading" or "Writing" frustrating. Aren't all teachers supposed > to >> be >>>>> teaching reading and writing? I find the overall assumption at > my >>> school >>>> is >>>>> that the English teacher is responsible for all reading and > writing >>>>> instruction! It drives me nuts! >>>>> >>>>> Jaime >>>>> >>>>>>>> "Lucinda Marcello" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 3/5/2008 8:39 PM >>> >>>>> Language arts--- at our school. >>>>> >>>>> I prefer calling it reading and writing. >>>>> Or maybe strategic reading and effective writing. Why not add a > few >>>>> adjectives? >>>>> >>>>> ----- Original Message ----- >>>>> From: "Mary Dovey" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >>>>> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "A list for improving literacy >> with >>>> focus >>>>> on middle grades." <[email protected]> >>>>> Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2008 5:55 PM >>>>> Subject: [LIT] Course names help >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>> Hello, sorry for the cross posting, but I'm not sure who gets > what >>> these >>>>>> days and I wanted to reach everyone. >>>>>> >>>>>> Our middle school principal would like to rename the two core >> subjects >>> of >>>>>> reading and writing that we currently teach under the umbrella > term, >>>>>> Communication Arts. This is due only to the fact that our > students >>> will >>>>>> now >>>>>> get a separate grade for each, not any dissatisfaction with Com > Arts >>> as >>>>>> the >>>>>> term. I've suggested the obvious: reading (since I want to > continue >>>>>> stressing to teachers that we are teaching reading, not just >>> literature >>>>>> and >>>>>> literary analysis, etc.) and writing. Nothing fancy, nothing > tough >> to >>>>>> figure >>>>>> out, very plain: reading and writing. >>>>>> >>>>>> What do your schools call these core subjects? As the literacy >> coach, >>> I >>>>>> need >>>>>> to bring back info to him and thought I'd start with you kind > folks. >>> (I >>>>>> think he thinks "reading" is too elementary, and I suspect I'll > be >>> able >>>> to >>>>>> show him it's not.) Thanks. >>>>>> Mary >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>> 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 >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. >>>>>> Checked by AVG Free Edition. >>>>>> Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.21.1 - Release Date: >> 2/25/2008 >>>>>> 12:00 AM >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> 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 >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> 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 >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> 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 >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> 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 >>> >>> -- >>> Lori Jackson >>> District Literacy Coach & Mentor >>> Todd County School District >>> Box 87 >>> Mission SD 57555 >>> >>> http:www.tcsdk12.org >>> ph. 605.856.2211 >>> >>> >>> Literacies for All Summer Institute >>> July 17-20. 2008 >>> Tucson, Arizona >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> 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 >>> >> >> >> >> -- >> - Heather >> >> "The world of books is the most remarkable creation of >> man. Nothing else that he builds ever lasts. Monuments >> fall; nations perish; civilizations grow old and die out; >> new races build others. But in the world of books are >> volumes that have seen this happen again and again and yet >> live on. Still young, still as fresh as the day they were >> written, still telling men's hearts of the hearts of men >> centuries dead." --Clarence Day >> >> "While the rhetoric is highly effective, remarkably little >> good evidence exists that there's any educational substance >> behind the accountability and testing movement." >> -Peter Sacks, Standardized Minds >> >> "When our children fail competency tests the schools lose >> funding. When our missiles fail tests, we increase >> funding. " >> -Dennis Kucinich, Democratic Presidential Candidate >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 >> > > _______________________________________________ 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
