Hi, Judy, I, too, am an Ellin groupie.
Funny, that you didn't like the renaming of things. I just re read this and thought I'd comment on how important I think this renaming is. If I was in the classroom, I'd probably agree with you. However, as a literacy coach, I find that sometimes practices need to be renamed to get the teachers to really re examine what they do during that time period. For example, our district has consistently emphasized that guided reading should take about 30 minutes in primary grades and independent reading should last at least 15 minutes for 1st, 20 for 2nd. HOwever, guided reading, was already in practice, and in some classes lasting for 45-60 minutes. Those practices continueat the expense of independent reading. I'm hoping that if we rename the practice, teachers will see it as something different and be more willing to try. I know that is optimistic, but it's been a rough two days and I need some optimism in my life!! Carol On Apr 1, 2008, at 2:37 PM, Judy Mazur wrote: > Okay, deep breath, I finished Chapter 2. Now I know what many of > you were talking about: it requires a lot of thought! > > When I introduced myself I didn't say that I am an avowed Ellin > Keene groupie; I've read MOT many times and have seen her speak 4 > times. I start with this information because I was shocked to find > there are a couple of things in this chapter I'm not crazy about: > 1. The flow is difficult. I disliked being constantly reminded > that something would be further discussed later in the text. I > kept wondering what I was missing. > 2. I think (JMO) it was unnecessary to rename workshop, shared > reading, guided reading, independent reading/writing, and sharing. > For the first time since I opened MOT, I find myself unwilling to > buy into one of Keene's suggestions. > > HOWEVER, I LOVE the big ideas: > 1. Hooray for: high expectations, capacity of minds, intellectual > engagement, and deep and critical thinking as habit > 2. pp. 24-25 chart is thrilling--I mean, I am seriously excited > about these 2 pages. They are going to move my teaching forward > immeasurably! > 3. Thank you, thank you, thank you for reminding us what's really > important (essential)! > > Sorry to be at all negative; let me finish by saying the good > enormously outweighs the tiny bit I disliked. I remain an avowed > Ellin Keene groupie. > > Judy > > _______________________________________________ > Understand mailing list > [email protected] > http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/listinfo/ > understand_literacyworkshop.org _______________________________________________ Understand mailing list [email protected] http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/listinfo/understand_literacyworkshop.org
