I think I'm the final member of the Less is More review team to add my
comments, and I definitely echo what Donna, Leslie, and Heather have already
shared. This book truly is a MUST read for middle and secondary reading,
writing, ELA, English (whatever you call what we teach:) teachers.
I am in my fifth year as the 5th and 6th grade ELA teacher at our tiny (avg.
35 students per grade level) rural western NY district. I spent my first 9
years teaching various levels from grades 7-12, and I certainly wish I'd had
this book then! I have struggled since making the switch to the lower levels
with finding the time to incorporate EVERYTHING that is good out there. Our
district has provided us with ongoing professional development with Strategies
That Work, Mosaic of Thought, the six traits of writing, etc, etc, etc.
Unfortunately, when our students jump from 4th to 5th grade, the amount of time
they have to spend on ELA-related activities is cut by more than 50%, from
approx. 10 hours per week to less than 5.
I truly believe that this book will help to solve some of the dilemma of what
to do with the precious little time I have. As others have said, novels
certainly have their merit, but when a student can't or won't do the reading
out of class, what choice does that leave but to read it in class? As you all
know that takes a TON of time, and may take some kids twice or even three times
as long as others. The beauty of what Kimberly Hill Campbell discusses is
two-fold: the time issue is alleviated by reading shorter texts AND they afford
you the opportunity to read, re-read, and truly pore over the text with
students. In my opinion, this is actually one of the greatest benefits of
shorter texts. Once they've been read and students understand the content, you
are then free to re-examine them from any number of lenses, depending on the
skill, strategy, or craft you want students to understand.
The lists of resources that Campbell provides within and at the ends of
chapters, as well as the specific teaching ideas presented throughout, are
truly invaluable (particularly for 9-12 teachers). As a 5/6 teacher, there is
no doubt that the principles offered in this book can be incorporated into my
classroom. The only adjustment I'll need to make is with the selections
themselves. The basic framework that Campell provides, though, can definitely
work with a wide range of levels. Having recently finished this book, I'm now
turning my attention to Heather Lattimer's Thinking Through Genre: Units of
Study in Reading and Writing Workshops 4-12. I can't wait to incorporate the
ideas of both and perhaps not feel so stretched thin with my time next year!
Amy
Amy Windus
5th & 6th Grade ELA Teacher
Scio Central School
Scio, New York
585-593-5510 ext. 2060
---------------------------------
Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.
_______________________________________________
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.
