The fifth grade teacher in my school started the following idea, and the sixth grade teacher liked it so much, she does it, too. The eighth grade teacher stated using it, too.
The teacher has a rubric, and when the lit circles meet, she tells them that, "Today, I will be selecting only one group to receive a lit circle grade." None know who it is until the meetings are over. Then she tells them who. Other times she tells the group that only X number of individuals will receive grades that day. Occasionally she tells them that every group will get a grade. This assessment strategy keeps the kids on their toes because they never know who the group or individuals might be. On Feb 9, 2008, at 11:38 AM, Lisa Szyska wrote: > Hi Laurie, > > First of all, I think what you've done so far is > great. It sounds like you've taken a lot of time and > effort to help your kids understand what a good book > discussion looks and sounds like. (I LOVE the idea of > big idea sketcher...totally "borrowing" that from you > btw!) > >> From your post, it is hard to tell if you are > frustrated with the quality of the discussions or the > management issues. To me, it sounds more like > management (noise level, unprepared members). If it > is the management, then you might try rubrics for > self-assessment, group assessment and teacher > assessment. Kids need to hold themselves accountable > and know that your expectations are clear as well. > This may take care of noise level, turn taking, and > things like that. Also, since you didn't mention > this, make sure you debrief after groups and make a > list of things that went well in certain groups and > things to work on tomorrow. The groups doing it well > should know they are doing well and that you're > noticing. > > In terms of kids being prepared, I have a couple of > questions: Why do you think some students aren't > prepared? Is the text too hard to get through? Is > their group trying to read too much at once? Are > there consequences for not being prepared for group? > > I totally understand your frustrations, but I think > it's great that you keep rolling. So many people give > up lit circles due to these situations. > Lisa > 2/3 IL > > > > _______________________________________________________________________ > _____________ > Be a better friend, newshound, and > know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. > http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ > > > _______________________________________________ > 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.
