A quick response to Elisa and Jennifer's posts about the purpose of the list
serv. I certainly agree with the original, stated purposes (there's a big
surprise, eh?) for the list serv, but with respect to the scripted programs
discussion, I do think that the discussion is related to strategy
instruction in a most critical way. These programs eat up every minute of
time that might otherwise be directed to more relevant, timely instruction
for kids, including comprehension strategy instruction. In addition, there
are now programs that script comprehension strategy instruction and I feel
that we must be able to articulate the research and theory (as I stated in
my earlier post) in order to stave off purchase of these programs. While it
may not be useful to merely bemoan the use of the programs, it might be very
useful for people to share what they know about the research (as Nancy did
today) to help others combat these trends.
It also occurs to me that comprehension instruction is embedded in a much
larger context of literacy instruction in all six systems and that people
are struggling with how/when to fit it all in. This, again, is why I wrote
To Understand - to try to show the balance we need to strike between
comprehension instruction and instruction in word learning, fluency and
syntax. It makes sense to me that one of your lines of inquiry on this list
might follow that question - what is the proper balance between
comprehension instruction and word/sentence level learning. That said, I
agree with Jennifer that the discussions of your classroom experiences in
comprehension are so helpful and I always learn from them - so thank you for
that!!!
ellin
Elisa
Thank you. You are right.
I know you are reflecting the views of many since my mailbox is filling
with
off-list pleas to bring the list back to a discussion of comprehension.
I know the discussion we've been having is important and I don't want to
"censor" anyone...but I would like us as a group to reflect upon the purpose
we
were created for...
If you go to the Mosaic home page, this is what you will find:
<<The idea for this group was born out of the teachers taking the journey
through this instructional paradigm. Wanting to jump right in and get
started,
but often feeling unsure and alone, we wanted a forum to share our
questions,
our joys, our successes, and our frustrations. Reading the book, Mosaic of
Thought, (or any of the other books mentioned above) will strengthen your
connection to our conversations.
Some of the most powerful emails have been when members reflect openly on
the email group about their teaching. Being reflective ?outloud? on the
list
is one way to grow professionally. Try taking the risk to tell us
specifically
what you are doing. Talk with us about how you feel the teaching went and
what you plan to do next. When we share our own thinking (just like we are
asking our students to do) we often move to a new level of clarity and
understanding.
Here are the focus points we welcome discussion about:
* comprehension strategy instruction
* questions about implementation
* action research conducted by teachers based on experiences in
strategy teaching
* reading workshop
* authentic assessment
* strategy instruction as it relates to high stakes testing
* professional reading suggestions/reflections to continue our
learning process
* lesson write ups/book suggestions
* online book talks related to comprehension teaching
We are looking forward to an active, stimulating, and supportive discussion
with you on these topics! Remember- no question is too simple to ask.>>
I appreciate the respectful tone the discussions take...but I am thinking
at
this point, we might want to consider the reason we all came to Mosaic was
to discuss comprehension.
Maybe it is time we get back to that...
Jennifer
List moderator
In a message dated 2/20/2009 8:46:50 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
[email protected] writes:
What is interesting to me about this whole thread and sub thread is how far
away they have taken us from talk of comprehension and strategy
instruction.
Again, we are being led astray to discuss things that don't add anything of
value to the purpose for which the Mosaic list was established.
Elisa
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