[MOSAIC] (mosaic) fitting it all in

[RR1981 at aol.com]

In a message dated 9/16/2006 8:49:23 PM Eastern Standard Time,  
kelli-n-rick at sbcglobal.net writes:

We  realize that we have to supplement using other read alouds and much more  
thinking aloud of our thinking in order for students to grasp the comp.  
strategies.  Also, we have to supplement with Guided Reading Groups  because most 
students cannot read the story in the basal independently.   (another quote by 
Dr. Cooper)  We are using the basal to expose them to  grade level text, but 
teaching them to read in GR



I have students who can't read some of the leveled texts independently as  
well.  Our district mandates a minimum of 30 whole group  instruction-according 
to my district these are the activities that I am  permitted to do during that 
time.
 
1.  read aloud
2.  shared reading
3. teach skills and strategies
4.  phonemic awareness- K-2
5.  phonics/spelling lesson
6.  vocabulary
7.  mini-handwriting lessons-builds fluency according to the  district
8.  mini interactive editing lessons
 
Then I am required to have 60 minutes of small group instruction.  I  have 
divided my class into three groups based on reading ability-we use the STAR  at 
the beginning of the year to help us decide where to put  everyone.   Students 
meet with me for 20 minutes-this is when we  preview the vocab reader, read 
the leveled reader, discuss the reader, complete  comprehension questions about 
the reader and continue to model the different  reading strategies.  Then 
studetns go to the thinking lab-for the low and  middle group they continue with 
what ever they had done with me.  They  might read the leveled book with a 
partner, etc.  Then they go to the "By  myslef" station which is where the 
independent literacy stations are  located.  We have four stations per week, each 
student completes one  station per day.  We don't rotate on Fridays.  That day 
is for  spelling and reading comprehension test as well as conferencing about 
station  activities completed.  Also, those students who don't complete a 
particular  station have time to do so.
 
 
I too am rather frustrated, only about 3 or 4 of my 15 kids read at grade  
level, yet I am stuck with this basal filled with material they can't read  
independently.
 
Rosie