[MOSAIC] Students who don't learn to read

[Bonita DeAmicis]

Kimberly--
Can I add this story to my collection for an article about censureship in the schools?

Let me know,
Bonita
Gr. 5, California

---- kimberlee hannan <mrshannan6th at gmail.com> wrote: 
> Our district does that with the Reading First mentality, especially in the
> primary grades.  When the literacy coaches (reading police) come around all
> in a certain grade level need to be on the same page.  At my last school the
> Reading First folks from the state told the teachers that they should be
> able to go from room to room and see the same lesson.  The teachers are
> expected to carry the TE around with them and be referring to it.  One
> teacher at my last school came in one morning and the furniture had been
> rearranged by the lit. coach because she didn't agree with the teacher's
> philosophy.  We, as teachers, are being set up for failure.
> 
> In my 5th and 6th grades, I got sneaky, keeping two set of lesson plans.  I
> taught the kids the strategies and the importance of reading.  I used the
> text for mini lessons only.  I kept the textbooks on the table and taught
> the kids to pick them up when the admin. came in.  I finally had to escape
> elementary to get rid of that.  Ironically, in now in 7th grade, I see the
> results of that sort of teaching.  The kids get have a horrible time reading
> and comprehending, among many other bad attitudes.  We won't even discuss
> writing.
> 
> Please remember that it is not your fault that you can't meet the needs of
> your kids.  The politicos that sit in the cushy chairs don't have a clue.
> We cover their butts.  Since there is no trust, they give us the script,
> just so they can say they did everything they could.  It has to be the kids'
> fault they aren't reading, or the teachers' fault.  It certainly can't be
> the program's fault.  Everything you say is true.  And yes, any monkey off
> the street can follow the script.
> 
> How do we fight this?  We keep up the good fight.  We get the kids to read
> and LOVE it.  We point out to the parents what works and get them to watch
> their children.  We get on the committees and leadership teams.  We go to
> the board meetings at the district and state level.  We get our voices out
> there.  We talk to people.  Try to convince them to change their votes.  We
> keep reading and stay on top of the current research.  Stay informed.
> kim
> 
> 
> 
> On 7/21/07, Kinderjane at aol.com <Kinderjane at aol.com> wrote:
> >
> >
> > In a message dated 7/21/2007 8:13:36 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
> > cccatho at yahoo.com writes:
> >
> > Wow! I  thought we were the only school that heard the word "fidelity"!
> > Not
> > only that,  but we are required to keep the teacher's manual  with us at
> > all
> > times.
> >
> > Not only I'm I not meeting the needs of 90%  of my students but I feel I'm
> > ZAPPING the joy of reading right out of  the students - all of them!
> >
> > Cathleen
> >
> > PS  I hate blue dots!  (You  know, from the teacher's manual that tell you
> > when to stop and  talk.)
> >
> >
> > >From Jane:
> > That is AWFUL!!  Why pay someone with a teaching degree?  It  sounds like
> > they could hire people who don't even have a diploma as long as they  can
> > read
> > the teacher's manual.
> > We have new standards in SC and I have spent many hours this
> > summer  revising
> > my curriculum (also incorporating more of the comprehension
> > strategies)  and
> > loving every minute of it!  I am totally on my own to teach as I want  as
> > long
> > as I cover the standards, and there is really no one paying
> > attention  that I
> > do that! I really feel for those of you who are not allowed to make the
> > curriculum your own.  I feel for your children, too.  Through no fault  of
> > your
> > own, you are not allowed to meet their needs.  Jane in SC   :-(
> >
> >
> >
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> > at
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> >
> 
> 
> -- 
> Kim
> -------
> Kimberlee Hannan
> Department Chair
> Sequoia Middle School
> Fresno, California 93702
> 
> 
> Laugh when you can, apologize when you should, let go of what you can't
> change, kiss slowly, play hard, forgive quickly, take chances, give
> everything, have no regrets.. Life's too short to be anything but happy.
> 
> kxhanna at fresno.k12.ca.us
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