[MOSAIC] overwhelmed

[Caudill, Amanda]

I teach in a 6th grade reading class (55 minutes).  I am working on my Rank 1 and I have been swimming in articles on differentiation.  With 125 students, the idea of this seemed impossible.  However, literature circles have been my savior.  I completely immersed myself in Harvey Daniel's books.  I started with only one of my reading classes (guinea pigs) and then began introducing it to the rest of the reading classes.  I have really gotten to know them as individuals.  Lit circles can be conducted in any content area

Harrison County Middle School
amanda.caudill at harrison.kyschools.us
sixth grade reading teacher
 

-----Original Message-----
From: mosaic-bounces at literacyworkshop.org [mailto:mosaic-bounces at literacyworkshop.org] On Behalf Of Christine Halliday
Sent: Sunday, February 18, 2007 10:20 AM
To: mosaic at literacyworkshop.org
Subject: [MOSAIC] overwhelmed

Hi,
I'm a "nontraditional" teacher in my 5th year teaching 4th grade.  Have read 
"Mosaic", "reading with meaning" and parts of Fountas & Pinell for 3-6.  
Went to an inspiring in-service with Ellin Keene @ a week ago.  Despite all 
that, I feel a bit overwhelmed and, consequently, at sea.  Matching state & 
district requirements to what I've found in the research seems impossible.  
Am especially stumped by my district's requirements to do "Differentiated 
Instruction":( i.e. homogeneous grouping) for 30-60 min a day.  This goes 
against everything I believe in: that we can all learn from each other.  
Meanwhile, ELA and Special Ed students are being mainstreamed with no 
back-up or extra personnel.
Does anyone else feel overwhelmed?  Sometimes, I fall back on a routine 
simply because I don't know what else to do.  Thanks for letting me vent!  I 
want to teach my students in teh best way possible, and some days I don't 
know what that is!
Chris/4/PA

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