This is interesting, just for thought. I come from a system 'Australia' where you are moved every couple of years around grade levels. The rationale to that being that only a first grade teacher really know how to teach a struggling fourth grade reader to read/spell/learn basic math. So, before I came into the American system i had taught prep, grade one, art, grade two and grade six. Guess what? I was very marketable as a teacher as I had extensive experience across a number of grades and a wide range of experience. Here, I have taught second grade for eight years, fourth grade for nine years. It's too comfortable. It's too easy. I would love someone to come in and say, tomorrow you have to grade two. This was the first time I had ever experienced teachers who had been at a grade level for more than three years. At first I found it really difficult to understand but now I get it. I see merits in both approaches but I think I might have utilised a wider range of skills when I was moving grades. The other grade thing about moving grades is working with a different range of people. I am so comfortable with my 'team' now, that's another reason I don't want to move. So, there you, go. A bit of 'down under' education for you all. Oh, I can't remember who wanted the information about the TORCH assessment but that too is Australian so if you want to know more email me at [EMAIL PROTECTED] I am thinking after the responses I got to my question about EVERY DAY MATH I should start a similar forum. I'm out of here for the next couple of days, going to Singapore for medical, as there is none here, so all will be quiet. I'm taking my notebook and will write my guided reading/lit circles thesis for you and get it out next week. But, i will be excited to hear what you say. I love reading these emails, I just love it. By the way I've got Judy's permission to send out her details as well so i'll get that out when I'm back. We have four days off here....heaven, heaven, heaven. A happy weekend to all. Suzanne
-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] on behalf of Renee Sent: Thu 5/1/2008 7:40 AM To: Mosaic: A Reading Comprehension Strategies Email Group Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] OT First or second grade? I have taught every elementary grade. I love Kindergarten but if all the grades were put in front of me, I'd probably choose 2nd grade. They are learning to be more independent, have (mostly) figured out what someone else called "the logistics of reading" and can (mostly) write well enough to be able to branch out creatively. Plus, they are starting to ramp up to a new developmental level. Way cool little people. And here's something to think about. If you've only taught first grade, it would be beneficial to you to teach another grade. I'm glad I've done all the grades, although my first ten years were with third graders (sometimes in multiage). Each grade has its own particularities. :-) Renee On Apr 30, 2008, at 4:18 PM, Patti Brooks wrote: > > I've taught first grade for 30 years and have an opportunity to move > to 2nd. I'm really having a difficult time deciding. Do any of you > have any suggestions? For those who have taught both, which do you > prefer? Thanks!Patti > _________________________________________________________________ > Spell a grand slam in this game where word skill meets World Series. > Get in the game. > http://club.live.com/word_slugger.aspx? > icid=word_slugger_wlhm_admod_april08 > _______________________________________________ > 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. > > "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that's given to us." ~ Gandalf ~ The Fellowship of the Ring ~ J.R.R. Tolkein _______________________________________________ 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.
