Teresa, You bring up some interesting points/questions. I totally know what you mean about being focused over-much on the strategy. When I first started w/the strategies, I was so concerned about whether kids knew how to classify their connections that I was missing the big picture about the purpose for the connections. I do think, however that while students are learning to monitor their thinking it is appropriate for them to focus on a particular strategy. This helps them slow down to not only use the strategy, but reflect on how it helped them grow as a reader. Later, they understand that proficient readers grab strategies (tools) from their mental toolbox when they need it. (Tools are my analogy for the strategies all year.) I know this has been discussed at length on this list...strategies one at a time vs. together. One at a time works for me.
I'm not sure what you (or was it the inservice trainer?) mean when you say "strategies become the reason for reading." Strategies are not the reason for reading; comprehension is the reason for reading, and the strategies are the mental heavy lifting you do to get to that deeper place. I am assuming that you have read Daniels' Lit Circles book since it sounds as you are very well-versed and experienced w/lit circles. Have you heard him speak recently? He has said that the role sheets, etc. were never meant to be used as some teachers use them. They were meant to scaffold discussions until students had the skills to use thier own notes, etc. to have the conversation. The problem isn't really w/Daniels' approach, it is that teachers are not always as reflective as you are and do not think about the real purpose for lit circles. I agree that adult book discussions ultimately focus on the deeper points, but often we start out w/our basic personal reactions and thoughts which springboard into that deeper discussion. This is a sophisticated skill, and I have seen ADULTS who are not that adept at doing this. And sometimes we adults get off on tangents as well. Kids do need time to develop their discussion skills and their thinking, so I think it's brilliant and important that you are helping your lit groups get to those meatier discussions. I do this as well. I also model this w/the whole group during read alouds. When we get off on tangents (off topic is what we say in class) we recognize it and discuss why and how to get back. I think too many teachers just expect this to magically happen as a result of lit circles, and that just isn't so. Modeling this deeper kind of discussion and helping kids get their thinking on the right track will lead to them thinking/discussing that way independently. Interesting thread, Teresa. Thanks for sharing your thinking. Lisa 2/3 IL --- Teresa Terry <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > In the past five years I have been > reading/implementing literature discussion in my > classrooms. I have in the past year moved from a > Daniel's approach to literature discussion where > students really spoke more about their > visualizations, connections, inferences, etc in > their discussions and perhaps did not always lead to > the deeper meaning of the book to literature > discussion where kids are thinking deeply about the > author's message and recording their > thinking-inferences, etc...but the conversations are > richer focusing in on a group chosen question or > two...such as for Zachary's Ball.. Does the ball > represent dreams? Conversations are between > students with me leading from behind prompting the > group to agree/disagreee, pose questions, elaborate, > clarify, and provide evidence to support their > thinking. It amazes me that the conversations are > leading to more inferential and evaluative thinking. > > And, I keep thinking about an inservice I attended > where the presentor asked if comprehension could be > taught and when do comprehension strategies become > the reason for reading...I have to say she left me > with lots to toss over in my mind. > > I feel that I have finally gotten to a place where > I can see that I was too focused on the strategy and > neglected the real reason for book discussions...it > is about understanding=going deeper. I have not > ever attended a book discussion where a group of > women tossed out connections and inferences in bits > and pieces and did not focus on the deeper > meanings/purposes that the author wanted to stir > within us. > > I would love to hear your thoughts. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ 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.
