Wendy, I am responding to your post when you wrote, "I think we have some teachers coming around to this way of teaching and it excites me but I also have reservations about how to approach them with the idea of not using each others mentor texts. How do you set this up in your schools? Are there certain books that have been "assigned" (for lack of a better word) to each grade level for modeling strategies so the same books aren't used over and over again for the same lesson?"
Thank you for asking such an important question! I think it's one that many of us have struggled with. I know that this may not be the response you're looking for, but... I don't worry about it. Honestly, I don't. I select books that I personally love and can think-aloud about authentically, with purpose, and with passion. If another teacher has shared the book with kids previously, I think that's perfect! (To be quite honest, I'm usually just THRILLED that the kids actually REMEMBERED that the book had been shared with them in the past!! Forgetful little buggers...*hee*hee*!) I understand that you have lessons that are dear to your heart that have been inspired by RWM or MOT or other sources (that we all know and *love*!) However, I would encourage you to branch out and try some new texts. I do own personal copies of MANY texts that speak to my heart, however I'm always searching the library for new ones to share with my class. I really try not to tie myself down to the same texts year after year. Maybe it's just my own personal need for "newness", but I feel invigorated by the fact that my workshop selections vary so widely from year to year. I try to keep track of the texts I share from year to year and it's fun to see the trends in my selections. I've learned an awful lot about MYSELF as a reader that way! Now, back to your question...from everything that I've read - it's highly beneficial for students to have multiple encounters with the SAME TEXT. Usually, this occurs in the same year with the same teacher. However, I would imagine, that when students have the opportunity to experience the same text at least one year later, the "understanding" would actually deepen and the connections would become more purposeful, meaningful, and insightful. This effect would be the result of 2 incredible teachers with diverse perspectives and backgrounds modeling their thinking/response process to the same text. Also, the students will have "lived" another year and have that much more life experience in their schema to enable them to make richer connections with the text. (Also, from personal experience, it's just plain fun for the kiddos! It makes them feel so mature! Cute, Cute, Cute!!) The only hitch that I see, is if teachers are not participating in authentic think-alouds. What I mean by this is...teachers "channelling the spirit" (by this I mean - memorizing the words) of Debbie Miller or Ellin Keene when they present the think-alouds to students. You wrote that your concern is teachers using the same books (not a problem) to teach the SAME LESSONS (problem.) If the latter is the case, I can understand your concern. However, it's one that can be easily rectified! Even though Debbie and Ellin have a blissfully "zen" way with words/strategies/kids/life...it's important for teachers to be authentic (even if it doesn't seem nearly as brilliant!) When 2 teachers share their thinking about the same text, what they share is (very naturally) going to be different! They each have a different set of life experiences to connect to, they each have a different set of kids with different needs, they each have a different purpose/focus for the lesson, etc. Especially when this crosses grade levels, the concern with sharing the same text should dissipate. As a 3rd grade teacher, I would use /Owl Moon/ very differently than a 1st or 5th grade teacher. And my students would greatly benefit as a result of all 3 lessons throughout their elementary years! You might want to check out a recent article in The Reading Teacher about a project that a school did with "Touchstone Texts". They started a book of the month club and every teacher in the entire building received a copy of the SAME BOOK to share with their students. My librarian and I were totally inspired by this idea and are going to implement in our building next year. Just think of the potential for enchancing the climate of your school. How cool is it for a 1st, 3rd, and 5th grader to be able to sit down and chat about their responses to a great book together?! What a great feeling of COMMUNITY and SHARED LITERACY! :) Warmest Regards (and wishes for sweet dreams!) Amy Amy Swan 3rd Grade Teacher Cedar Creek Elementary (913)780-7360 CHECK OUT OUR CLASS WEBPAGE!! http://teachers.olathe.k12.ks.us/~aswancc/ ********************************************************************** CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This message is from the Olathe District Schools. The message and any attachments may be confidential or privileged and are intended only for the individual or entity identified above as the addressee. If you are not the addressee, or if this message has been addressed to you in error, you are not authorized to read, copy or distribute this message or any attachments. 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