Sandy <[email protected]> wrote:
>I might suggest two ideas. One, break the conferring task in to smaller >parts. Two, model the process. > > >Identify what you are hoping that the students will discuss (characters, >climax, setting) and create a list of ideas to be displayed and title it >"Discussion Topics". Then, model for the students what a conference looks >like. I often model conferring with a colleague or responsible student. At >the beginning of our modeling, we identify (as part of our discussion) what we >are focusing our conversation on. (Example: "Hi Sarah, what did you think >about the main characters in Number the Stars?") We role play a discussion, >making sure that we are careful to include and CORRECT trouble spots. >Afterwards we ask the students to identify what we did to make this a >successful conference. (Eye contact, extend the other person's idea, >respectfully disagree, etc.) We list these behaviors on a chart as well and >display this. You can label this something like "Successful Conference >Behaviors". > > >Students can refer to this list during their own discussions. Give them the >opportunity to practice one of the discussion suggestions (characters, >setting, etc.) Model as often as necessary they will not get it right away. >Follow up by listening for great conversations and then sharing these snippets >with students. You can even have students reenact their successful >discussions. Once they become proficient, you won't have to "assign" a >discussion topic. > > >Good Luck, > > > > >Sandy > > > > > > > > >-----Original Message----- >From: Cnjpalmer <[email protected]> >To: write <[email protected]>; Mosaic: A Reading Comprehension Strategies >Email Group <[email protected]> >Sent: Sun, Jan 2, 2011 3:44 am >Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] conferring > > >They have to be taught how to behave. First, make explicit what >benefits come to them from being on task... What it is they are >learning during this time... You need to create a sense of urgency. I >do this by talking about the power of good writing... The power to >make someone laugh or cry... The power to change someones mind... Or >change their brains by teaching them something ... I hold up favorite >books by authors who are long gone and talk about how writing can make >u immortal in a way. Then I ask someone to share what is being lost >when they are off task. >Create a poster together of what it looks like, sounds like and feels >like when you are on task and off... Then I would actually take time >to have someone model proper behavior. I would also end with a sharing >time where kids share what they accomplished ... Or use sone kind of >self reflection piece for accountability > >Jennifer > >Sent from my iPhone > >On Dec 31, 2010, at 10:59 PM, [email protected] wrote: > >> Before school starts on Monday, I need to have a better plan for how >> to handle conferring in my classroom. >> I teach middle school. My students are fine during mini lessons or >> when they are working independently. >> When I have a conference with an individual or a small group, >> everything seems to fall apart. The rest of the class seems to >> think conferring means it's their opportunity to get off task. >> I've asked my colleagues for help, but all I've gotten is that I >> have to let the class know I expect them to keep working. That >> advice has not helped me. >> If you have a specific suggestion that has worked for you, please >> let me know. Thanks! >> Jan >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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. > > > > >_______________________________________________ >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.
