Sandra, May I share your post with some teachers I work with? We were just having a discussion centered around the appropriateness of pushing children to justify their connections. I think it is essential. I love your post, especially the tender celebration I pictured in kissing your brain.
Lori On Tue, 3 Oct 2006 17:03 , Sandra Stringham <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> sent: >I thought I would share something that happened today during readers' workshop >share time. Bear in mind...this is 1st grade. > >My class has been working on Text to Self Connections. We were reading >Hazel's Amazing Mother...if you want the lesson...it's right out of RWM by Debbie Miller, but the idea is to get kids to understand which connections help and which don't, what to do with those that don't, and why connections help. > >To make the long story short....one of my students after the lesson, wanted to >know if he could record a response in his response journal about Hazel's Amazing Mother. Of course...no problem. > >His response was When I read Hazels Amazing Mother, I was thinking....and he >wrote it reminded him that he went on a picnic with his mom. > >In my mind, I'm thinking how do I go about explaining how this "connection" >doesn't help us understand the book...it was just coincidence, so I asked him the all important question: how does this help you as a reader? > >Here the "aha!" moment: "It helped me understand where they were at in the >book. I could put myself in their place." > >So, taking a cue from Debbie Miller: I rephrased what he said: > >"I've never thought of it that way...so you were visualizing where they were >at....the setting...you put yourself in the book. So you could understand the setting! That's soooo smart...kiss your brain!" > >And it's true....it could help him understand what setting is! And others! >He is a 2nd language learner, so I think this is great, anyway...this was wonderful thinking for 30 days into a new school year! > >My aha....maybe I need to do more about understanding what the word setting >means....not just it is where they are at or the time it's happening. > >Just thought I would share....don't be so quick to think it doesn't help...it >helped him! > >Sandi >1st > > >_______________________________________________ >Mosaic mailing list >[email protected] >To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to >http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/ mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. > >Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive. > _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
