Bill- the research overwhelming supports what Nancie advocates. I have an entire section of my book devoted to the research supporting SSR -- from federal studies-- as well as the research supporting reading aloud to students.
I agree with the balanced approach this discussion has taken. I agree that there's been an extreme approach to the reading strategies to the point where the flow of reading is disrupted and graphic organizers and strategies have become so overused that they are exercises instead of strategies. In a sense they've become the new worksheets. They are assigned and kids just sort of mindlessly go through the motions. I don't think this is how they were intended to be implemented. I think where I would not necessarily differ with Nancie, but where I would add or amend is that she is talking about kids who already get it. They have come through her school and they understand the purpose of reading. However, what we face here are kids who think that reading is about sounding out words-- that it is about reading as fast as possible-- many of our kids don't get the reading zone. And for them, I believe those comprehension strategies represent an entree into the text. But once there, leave the kids alone and let them read. As with so much else in reading, we can't assign a formula and the how, the when and the how much, is dependent on smart, caring teachers. There are a number of ways to get kids to respond to text, not as an exercise, but as a way if connecting them and helping to enrich and enhance the reading experience. I read earlier drafts of Nancie's book and I'm using it in my courses. It's provocative and evokes a lot of discussion. It is a brilliantly written book. there is an a huge body of experimental and federal research that supports what Nancie advocates. I know that the NRP report has been grossly misrepresented as saying that research does not support SSR. That is just not true. On Saturday, June 2, 2007, at 09:00 AM, Bill Roberts wrote: > Christina, > > Have you read IN THE MIDDLE by Atwell? It's a classic book like MOT. > READING ZONE is more or less an updated edition, and I think Nancy is a > great teacher and has lots of great ideas on teaching reading. I > agree we > are putting the cart before the horse with strategies running the > show, so > we are getting copies for my reading department to read next fall. > > For many, the tail is wagging the dog. We're so wrapped up in this > world of > strategies, that we forget the main point of using > them.....comprehension. > I have had more kids who came into class telling me they hated reading > than > ever before, and I think it's because we have lost sight of the joy of > reading. I have teachers who insist on Reading logs and making kids > read 20 > minutes every night, but most of the kids don't do it or fake their > homework > logs. They aren't taught how to make appropriate choices when > reading, so > they hate reading. > > The main problem I see with ZONE, is that I don't see enough > "research" to > back up her ideas. The main point of the book isn't really the > reading, > though....it's that fact that the TEACHER MAKES THE DIFFERENCE. To > really > teach a reading workshop as she describes, you have to read tons of YA > books. I barely have time enough to read MY books, let alone read all > the > YA books on the market. I use "guinea pigs" in my class who I trust > and > have them read new books and give me their opinions. I read a few YA > books > every year, but they help me a lot! Anyone can teach strategies, but > to > really teach the love of reading takes a lot of work! > > I also have issue about her comments on "Making Connections." She says > makilng connections HURTS comprehension because you can get distracted > from > the reading and lose your train of thought. I think this can happen > for > some, but learning to control your mind so it makes APPROPRIATE > connections > makes it a VERY important strategy. I think connections can not only > help > comprehension, but it can ENHANCE the reading by making it deeply > personal. > I was amazed Atwell didn't get that point because one of the reasons > she > loves literature is because of the feelings she gets from reading. > Making > connections isn't just about intellectual connections; it's also about > making emotional ones. > > It's a great book because it does remind us that reading isn't > something we > teach for a test, or for a school year, or only until college --- > reading is > for a lifetime. > > Bill > > > _______________________________________________ > 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.
