Oh, Alice, I am so sorry to hear of your distress. It sounds as if your school needs its leadership adjusted....since that's unlikely in the short term, maybe what would help you right now is to remember that all you can do on your own is to keep doing the right thing. Sometimes, and I know I've been through this at different periods, you just have to close the classroom door literally and figuratively and block out the rest of the school, the frenzy and craziness around you. The fact that you are an acitve participant on this list serv with as much experience as you have is a testament to your continued commitment. It's hard to stay positive and healthy when the rats around you making so much noise, but focusing on your own classes is the only way I know to cope. Best of luck, Mary
On 3/9/08 1:21 PM, "Alice Cortigiano" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I find that talk is not enough. At our school we talk about it but the > follow through is the problem. We do have literacy coaches also and they > offer great strategies but when things become stressful which they always do > people fall back to their comfort zone. > > Of course, now I come from a very urban setting w/ lots of issues. Our > district has recently been named the 10th lowest performing school in the > state of CT. Morale is at an all time low. Students and teachers seem to be > at odds constantly. Standards are not being met and teachers are being > blamed which doesn't help morale. We are dealing with student behaviors that > in my entire 25 years I have never seen. As the behaviors decrease the > academic expectations increase. Testing is all that is deemed important. > Kids are provided with less and less opportunities to have fun. Teachers are > met w/ hostility and distain. It has become a thankless job to say the > least. > > So, while I believe in writing and reading instruction in all content areas, > I totally understand the frustration that many teachers are dealing with. I > am a strong believer in public education but until we can provide > environments that address the whole child we will continue to battle kids to > write and read in all content areas and teachers will expect all the reading > and writing instruction to happen in English (LA) classes. > > Do I sound frustrated? YUP! I'm home waiting to go for a stress test > tomorrow due to chest pains experienced at work on Thursday. Why? You > guessed it, "stress on the job". > > Alice in CT > > PS....sorry for dumping, I'm in that mood today! > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Mary Dovey > Sent: Saturday, March 08, 2008 10:38 PM > To: A list for improving literacy with focus on middle grades. > Subject: Re: [LIT] Reading and Writing in all content areas > > Alice, > I wasn't sure whether you meant students or teachers when you said, "If we > want them to do better we have to provide the scaffolding..." but I think > you're onto something: if we want the kids to deepen their comprehension, > someone needs to teach content teachers how to do this, and make them see > that it's not about adding more work to their day, but changing the way they > work with kids. Conversely, as reading and writing teachers, all of us needs > to be sure we're incorporating skill instruction and non-fiction materials > in our classes. I've seen a few too many classes where the reading is almost > exclusively fiction and the writing focus is memoir and narrative. The more > we can talk with our content colleagues, the better I suspect. > Mary > > > On 3/8/08 3:44 PM, "Alice Cortigiano" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >> We are all teachers of reading no matter what our content, that's the > bottom >> line. Content teachers should get this when they read student papers and >> score tests. If we want them to do better we have to provide the > scaffolding >> for it to happen. It doesn't happen on it's own, it's that simple! >> >> Alice >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Linda Crumrine >> Sent: Saturday, March 08, 2008 3:06 PM >> To: A list for improving literacy with focus on middle grades. >> Subject: Re: [LIT] Reading and Writing in all content areas >> >> I was talking to a middle school social studies teacher last week who >> shared that she was not trained to teach reading. I told her I >> thought the term reading strategies was misleading. I shared that >> what we were talking about was comprehension strategies and how to >> help students construct meaning as they read. We then talked about >> the complexity of some of the concepts she was teaching and the >> density of some of the texts. The concept that she could help the >> students deepen their understanding of both the concepts she was >> teaching and the text they were reading appeared to resonate with >> her. On another note, our high school has created a DRAFT writing >> rubric that all content teachers are piloting this year, in hopes of >> starting to more closely align our expectations across content >> areas. I felt that the process of representatives from each content >> area working together and deciding what were the minimum criteria >> that could apply across content areas was worthwhile. It feels like >> such a long road! >> On Mar 8, 2008, at 2:27 PM, Jaime Mendelis 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 >>>> >>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> - 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 >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 _______________________________________________ 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
