Jennifer, With all due respect, programs do not help children learn to read, write, or think I don't care what anybody says. In addition, our most challenging children don't come into our classrooms as empty vessels that with a program or two we can fix. It may appear that way at times but it is time, patience, hard work and time that help children learn. It is thoughtful teachers, like you, who teach children to think more deeply, write more thoughtfully, and read more meaningfully. In fact, most children come into our classrooms reading, writing and thinking. I really get emotional when my emotions are clamped down upon. Short of calling someone an idiot there hasn't been any disrespect shown in this discussion. I think it is fair and normal for all of us to have emotional reactions to each other's comments, whether those are in agreement with the poster or not. Teachers are already censored enough and I don't think we should do it here since as you say this conversation has been civil. Respectfully, Elisa
Elisa Waingort Grade 2 Spanish Bilingual Dalhousie Elementary Calgary, Canada The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt within the heart. —Helen Keller Visit my blog, A Teacher's Ruminations, and post a message. http://waingortgrade2spanishbilingual.blogspot.com/ I had a program forced down my throat this year... and I have gone kicking and screaming into trying a scripted intervention for four of my first graders. I was determined to keep good quality data to prove that the program was not what those kids needed. Well...at the midpoint of the year, two of the four children, (one of whom is spending her second year in first grade and had intervention already for two years...and had been resistant to just about everything I tried) is suddenly making rapid progress. The two who are not progressing will come out of this program...but the other two will stay because, to my surprise, it is just what they needed. I hate teaching it...it contradicts what I believe on so many levels, but how can I say it is wrong when I am seeing kids succeed and grow in confidence as they master decoding skills? Jennifer List moderator
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