Yes, Jennifer, agreed. PD is vital and differentiation is imperative. We use a workshop format for reading and writing and I'd like to move people into learning about word study. I just want to equal the playing field by having one stronger product to start with as a foundation, rather than everyone choosing haphazardly. That way, I have a tool to start with as we move into PD for word study...just wondering why people are choosing different products.
On Fri, Feb 24, 2012 at 12:16 AM, Pauline K Nagle <[email protected]>wrote: > I have worked in several districts in Michigan and am currently a > Curriculum Coordinator for Elementary Instruction. I, too, have been > looking at phonics programs, because as I see it, not all teachers are > created equal. While I would love to see all teachers creating literature > rich, cross-curriculuar connections, with embedded word study work, I know > that it is not the reality of our district or every teacher. To be fair, I > don't think that we spend the amount of professional development necessary > for all teachers to be strong experts of both their content and of > explicit, scaffolded instruction. So, while I work towards that particular > goal, I need to find a "program" that equals the playing field across all > classrooms so that I do not create a district of "have good phonics > instruction" and "have poor phonics instruction". If a quality program > exists, that also provides flexibility (which I think the Fountas & Pinnell > program does), then those with the expertise will be able to use it > flexibly and those that need the structure of the program may have an > improved quality of instruction. I currently have K teachers piloting the > F&P Word Study work. > > I have a sample of Fundamentals and am wondering from those that have used > it, how you got started and why you chose it over the others. The same > with Saxon or Wilson Language. Was Fountas & Pinnell available at the > point of your decision making and you chose those over F&P? Any > information would be helpful. > > > Thanks for your help. > > On Fri, Feb 17, 2012 at 11:22 PM, Renee <[email protected]> wrote: > >> In a nutshell..... I ran an individualized reading program that was >> basically a combined readers' and writers' workshop, in which students >> chose their own reading material, and I did comprehensive individual >> conferences with each student at least a couple of times a week, during >> which they talked about what they were reading, read aloud a bit to me, and >> we discussed their writing, including how they used phonetic strategies in >> their writing. They had individualized spelling tests and we also had >> class-wide spelling words that were chunked into groups of words that >> shared some kind of phonetic or spelling structure (and they chose the >> words, as a group). My students wrote every day, and I almost never gave >> them writing prompts unless I wanted them to include something specific. If >> I did give prompts, I tried to make them as open-ended as possible. Some of >> their writing was creative, some was literature response, and some was >> informational. My students created class books, and individual books. I >> incorporated lots and lots of drawing and other art to tap into the realm >> of the visual learner. And yes, I also did some isolated phonics >> instruction as I saw a need, but most of the phonics instruction was done >> through individual students' own writing. >> >> I am retired now and substituting, and, like Sally, I am in many >> different classrooms in a couple of different districts, and I do not find >> the print rich environments that I created as a teacher. I almost never see >> poetry on the walls, or collaborative stories, or teacher and/or student >> made charts. I see a lot of isolated this and that and very little >> connection between one subject an another, or even between reading and >> writing. "Explicit" phonics instruction does not need to mean scripted >> programs. >> >> I'm sorry if I stepped on anyone's toes. But for those who are not sure >> what this list is supposed to be about, if you haven't read Mosaic of >> Thought... pick up a copy and see what it's about. >> >> Renee >> >> >> >> On Feb 17, 2012, at 6:02 PM, Palmer, Jennifer wrote: >> >> So Renee, why don't you share how you handle this issue? How do you >>> find what kids need? How do you structure your classroom instruction to hit >>> multiple needs? Please share how you kid watch and then use what you've >>> learned? I think there's a lot of people who'd benefit from your >>> experiences. >>> >>> Sent from my iPhone >>> >>> On Feb 17, 2012, at 8:34 PM, "Renee" <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> No one has suggested that phonics has no place in skill instruction. >>>> The question was about **scripted** phonics programs, which I .... and >>>> others.... do not feel are congruent with the Mosaic of Thought strategies >>>> for reading instruction. Of course phonics instruction is part of reading >>>> instruction. Part of it. And being able to decode is an important strategy >>>> in the comprehension process. But a scripted phonics program will not, by >>>> definition, look at individual needs of children, nor will it guide the >>>> teacher toward effective, individualized, kid-watching strategies. >>>> >>>> Renee >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On Feb 17, 2012, at 3:19 PM, Cara Acosta wrote: >>>> >>>> Look, I don't want to start a debate, but there is a place for phonics >>>>> skill instruction. It can be weaved into a Reader's workshop format as >>>>> mini lessons, and then applied in context. There are some kids, >>>>> particularly LD kids, dyslexic kids, or struggling readers, who do >>>>> benefit >>>>> from explicit phonics instruction. Does that mean that the purpose of >>>>> reading isn't still making meaning? Of course not! You can't make >>>>> meaning >>>>> if you can't read the words! >>>>> >>>>> On Fri, Feb 17, 2012 at 10:50 AM, Lynette DeGraffenried < >>>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> I have used the program with kindergarten through 3 rd grade and love >>>>>> it. >>>>>> As a Title 1 Coordinator it is great for para professionals working in >>>>>> small groups. It is flexible so that I can target specific needs of >>>>>> students. And it allows for sequential/developmental growth. I also >>>>>> used it >>>>>> as a teacher in my own class-1st and transitional first grades. >>>>>> Lynette >>>>>> [email protected] >>>>>> >>>>>> Sent from my iPad >>>>>> >>>>>> On Feb 16, 2012, at 8:51 AM, Suzanne Goebert < >>>>>> [email protected]> >>>>>> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> I was just wondering if anyone is using Fountas & Pinnell's Phonics >>>>>>> and >>>>>>> >>>>>> Word Study program in grade 2? Or is there a phonics program that >>>>>> someone >>>>>> is using that works for them. I am not a of fan of programs or >>>>>> teaching in >>>>>> isolation, but teachers in our district are seeing low phonics scores >>>>>> and >>>>>> are looking for something sequential/developmental to use to fill in >>>>>> the >>>>>> gaps. >>>>>> >>>>>>> Thanks, >>>>>>> Suganne >>>>>>> [email protected] >>>>>>> >>>>>>> ______________________________**_________________ >>>>>>>> Mosaic mailing list >>>>>>>> [email protected] >>>>>>>> To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to >>>>>>>> http://literacyworkshop.org/**mailman/options/mosaic_** >>>>>>>> literacyworkshop.org<http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> ______________________________**_________________ >>>>>>> Mosaic mailing list >>>>>>> [email protected] >>>>>>> To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to >>>>>>> http://literacyworkshop.org/**mailman/options/mosaic_** >>>>>>> literacyworkshop.org<http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Search the MOSAIC archives at >>>>>>> http://snipurl.com/**MosaicArchive<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<http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Search the MOSAIC archives at >>>>>>> http://snipurl.com/**MosaicArchive<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<http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org> >>>>>> >>>>>> Search the MOSAIC archives at >>>>>> http://snipurl.com/**MosaicArchive<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<http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org> >>>>> >>>>> Search the MOSAIC archives at >>>>> http://snipurl.com/**MosaicArchive<http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive> >>>>> >>>>> >>>> "Quality is more important than quantity. One home run is much better >>>> than two doubles." ~Steve Jobs >>>> >>>> >>>> ______________________________**_________________ >>>> Mosaic mailing list >>>> [email protected] >>>> To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to >>>> http://literacyworkshop.org/**mailman/options/mosaic_** >>>> literacyworkshop.org<http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org> >>>> >>>> Search the MOSAIC archives at >>>> http://snipurl.com/**MosaicArchive<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<http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org> >>> >>> Search the MOSAIC archives at >>> http://snipurl.com/**MosaicArchive<http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive> >>> >>> >> "It's better to be a pirate than to join the Navy." ~Steve Jobs >> >> >> >> >> >> ______________________________**_________________ >> Mosaic mailing list >> [email protected] >> To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to >> http://literacyworkshop.org/**mailman/options/mosaic_** >> literacyworkshop.org<http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org> >> >> Search the MOSAIC archives at >> http://snipurl.com/**MosaicArchive<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
