I, too, agree with you about using the basal in a flexible way. It does help teachers determine the skills that need to be mastered and absolutely helps with new teachers. However, when administrators dictate that the basal is the only source to use, that sends a red flag.
As teachers we need to use all the tools and resources that we have at our discretion. If we know the targets students need to reach, we can then use those tools and resources in a flexible that meets the needs of each individual student. The other comment about reading workshop is that during my tenure as a reading coach, I was saddened to meet teachers (both new and experienced) who don't READ! They can read, but don't. So, how can they pass along their love and passion with books? Carol ----- Original Message ----- From: [email protected] To: "Mosaic: A Reading Comprehension Strategies Email Group" <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, July 10, 2010 10:09:50 AM Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] Chapter 1 (Book Whisperer) I am one who denigrated basals, but I do agree with Laura (see below). In fact, for many reasons, I think new teachers SHOULD start with basals. That is how we learn to teach reading in a traditional way as we gather our own reading theories--and the planning is done for them. Mosaic would have made no sense to me if I hadn't already had a foundation in teaching reading. Unfortunately, last year (when California could still afford new teachers), I got in trouble for recommending that our newbies use the basal for a year. They were foundering with comprehension strategies and needed a foothold. Alas. When I taught 3rd grade and focused on comprehension strategies, I used the basal as an anthology and we read almost all of the selections. It seems to me that most basals have excellent selections these days. My objection to the 5th grade basal is that many of the selections are excerpts and they leave students feeling unfinished and dissatisfied. Sorry this is so disjointed--you can see I still have mixed feelings about basals. What I detest most is the way the publishers throw waaaaay too much thoughtless busywork into "a week" and don't give kids a chance to learn. But, as you may glean from my thoughts, I still think basals have some value. Judy (((Laura: I think the main reason schools are adopting basals is a lack of trust in teacher knowledge. To play devil's advocate, not all teachers come to the profession prepared to teach. Put a basal in the hands of a less seasoned teacher and perhaps you'll have a chance at good instruction. The more seasoned teachers do not need it of course. I think this all speaks to the level of preparedness our teachers are coming out of university with. ))) _______________________________________________ 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.
