Hi again-
I also need to add, we would look at how the skill or concept was tested and in
our teaching we would include the language of the test or just have a
conversation about what would a test question look like that wanted to test
your ability to infer. Our state (CA) has released test items from the state
test and as teachers we would refer to them to see how it was tested so we
could incorporate that in our teaching.
Jan
We must view young people not as empty bottles to be filled, but as candles to
be lit. -Robert Shaffer
----- Original Message -----
From: jan sanders<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: Mosaic: A Reading Comprehension Strategies Email
Group<mailto:[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 28, 2008 10:29 AM
Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] RIT with Stephanie Harvey continued...
Hello all-
I am a returning member to this list. I have been off-list for about 3 years.
I have been a literacy/math coach for the last 6 years. Before that I taught
for 9 years, the last 6, in 4th grade.
I (and teachers I have coached) struggle with that same issue. What our
district did was decide to set aside 20 to 30 minutes a day for skills work.
This is not test prep, but rather specific skills. We would teach the skill
during this time, then during readers' (or writers') workshop we would
incorporate the skills they had learned into the lesson. This year we were
also asked to incorporate Marzano's content vocabulary structures. So, if
teachers are going to be teaching inference, we will spend 2 or 3 days in
skills getting to the meat of what it means to infer. It was well worth the
time. The students now had some knowledge and understanding as they attempted
to apply the strategy during their reading.
Jan
We must view young people not as empty bottles to be filled, but as candles
to be lit. -Robert Shaffer
----- Original Message -----
From: Mary Manges<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>>
To: Mosaic: A Reading Comprehension Strategies Email
Group<mailto:[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>>
Sent: Friday, June 27, 2008 6:47 PM
Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] RIT with Stephanie Harvey continued...
Lynelle, Mary Helen, or anyone else,
What are your scores like on the reading assessment? I am curious because
mine have been low and the pressure is mounting. I teach using strategies
and use lots of literature circles and reading workshop. I love the
thinking, true thinking that I see in my classroom and would never trade my
strategies for a basal or more test prep, but I feel that I'm going to be
forced to change something. This year I worked in a coach book lesson that
I thought would tie in whatever I was teaching, hoping for a slightly more
authentic approach to getting them ready for the test. I spent the weeks
leading up to the test teaching the format and trying to prepare them, which
is a huge waste of valuable educational time. I'm wondering if I should buy
the Toolkit myself or try to talk someone in administration into buying it
for me. I have done everything I know to teach authentically and to stay
true to what I believe. I hate the testing pressure and am truly at a loss
as an educator. Can you give me any direction as far as a connection
between testing and the Toolkit. I feel so shallow asking that, but I think
anyone in public education, especially in a testing grade would understand.
Thanks a bunch!
Mary
5th grade/PA
----- Original Message -----
From: "Lynnelle Winter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]<mailto:[EMAIL
PROTECTED]<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>>>
To: "Mosaic: A Reading Comprehension Strategies Email Group"
<[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]<mailto:[EMAIL
PROTECTED]:[email protected]>>>
Sent: Friday, June 27, 2008 7:34 AM
Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] RIT with Stephanie Harvey continued...
> Mary Helen,
>
> Our school district just adopted the Toolkit as our reading program. (My
> school is in year 3 of the reader's workshop with the strategies.)
However,
> I met with a group of ladies from another site who had gone to the
training
> with Stephanie Harvey's Consultant and it was fabulous! I sat down and
asked
> them what questions they had for me. Many of them were very thought
> provoking. Some of them were very simple. Our district is relatively new
> with the PLC idea, but having been a curriculum instructor and a classroom
> teacher I have learned the best approach for me is "What can I do to help
> you with this new idea?" My advice would be to allow the participants who
> need to make "small steps" that opportunity. If there is one thing I
learned
> as a curriculum instructor it is not every goes "full throttle" with a new
> idea like me! :-) Your enthusiasm for this will also lead! Many people
see
> our passion and excitement and usually they will grab on!! Good Luck!!
>
> Lynnelle Winter
> 5th Grade West Intermediate
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Mary Helen Chappetto" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]<mailto:[EMAIL
PROTECTED]<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>>>
> To: "Mosaic: A Reading Comprehension Strategies Listserv"
>
<[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]<mailto:[EMAIL
PROTECTED]:[email protected]>>>
> Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2008 10:04 PM
> Subject: [MOSAIC] RIT with Stephanie Harvey continued...
>
>
> >I just spent 2 fabulous days learning from Stephanie Harvey along with 14
> >staff members from my school. The only other school that out-numbered us
> >was Ginger's....Liberty! Way to go!
> > I had a great conversation with Ginger (so nice to put a face with the
> > name!) It was like meeting a 'rock star'! My staff did not understand
my
> > excitement because they are new to mosaic...I hope some of them have
> > signed on to learn!
> > As I told Ginger, I have been a "lurker" on the site, was off for a
while,
> > but have been back for a bit....reading and trying to refresh and
> > learn/relearn about the strategies. Now I am officially a 'poster'!
> > Hearing Stephanie Harvey speak and feeling her passion was incredible.
I
> > would love to know if there are any 'newbies' out there who are just
> > getting started and others who are veterans who can support the newbies
in
> > the quest to be better teachers of thinkers.
> > I think of the great conversations that happened upon the release of
both
> > Mosaic and STW last summer as well as To Understand by Ellin Keene this
> > summer.....the book conversations were and have been, as always,
> > thoughtful.
> > What I wonder....for those of you that have been part of the growth of
a
> > professional learning community using Comprehension strategies, and
have
> > witnessed the positive impact, would you share the approach you took?
Is
> > there anything in particular you did to get started? What is the one
> > piece of advice/experience/wisdom you would share for those of us just
> > embarking on this venture? What obstacles did you face and how did you
> > face them?
> >
> > Mary Helen
> > _______________________________________________
> > Mosaic mailing list
> >
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> >
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> >
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> >
>
>
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