[MOSAIC] Question for the group

[William Roberts]

We have used AR for years, but for the first time most of my kids read for
points.  No one in the past 3 years ever made them stop and think about why
they selected a book.  They just picked it out because it was worth a lot of
points.  I have always taught them to pick the book first because they want
to read it, THEN worry about the points.  I think a lot of the "point" abuse
comes from teachers who don't offer the kids a choice or a chance to think
about what they are doing.  Enjoyment should be the priority because
EVERYTHING we do is based on enjoyment or pain.
Bill


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <khannan76 at comcast.net>
To: "Mosaic: A Reading Comprehension Strategies Listserv"
<mosaic at literacyworkshop.org>
Sent: Thursday, October 05, 2006 3:55 PM
Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] Question for the group


> In regards to a nation of readers that hate to read...
>
> I have seventh graders at a school I am new to.  The school here is very
gung ho
> for a certain unnamed point driven program.  Needless to say, I am not in
favor
> of bribing kids to read.  HOWEVER, in an effort to stay "one of the
> team,"  I gave the kids the initial placement test, and am giving them the
> choice.  My kids have to read 150 pages of their "just right" books each
week.
> I take Status of the Class every day.  I have them doing Interactive
Journals in
> which they apply the strategies we are learning as a class (I have to use
the
> adopted literature anthology, so I use it as common text and teach the
> strategies from it), to their novels.  If they WANT to take the quizzes
and get
> the points and earn prizes that the school in general that's fine.  If
they
> don't, the real grade comes from pages read and the responses written.
I've
> noticed that some kids in the middle years need a tangible reward for
reading.
> So they have the option.
>
> Just my two cents worth...
>
>
> --
> Kimberlee Hannan
> Language Arts Department Chair
> Sequoia Middle School
> Fresno Unified School District
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Mosaic mailing list
> Mosaic at literacyworkshop.org
> 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.
>
>
> -- 
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.12.12/461 - Release Date: 10/2/06
>
>