[MOSAIC] End of Year Reflection

Thu Jun 7 21:48:48 EDT 2007

I use some of the basal stories for large group literature experiences
I feel exactly like you.  My kids have come so much farther with independent 
reading workshop.
Sharon/2nd in Wisconsin
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Wendy Jensen" <wendyljensen at msn.com>
To: "Mosaic: A Reading Comprehension Strategies Email Group" 
<mosaic at literacyworkshop.org>
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2007 16:22
Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] End of Year Reflection


>I had another great year in second grade using great models like Mosaic, 
>Reading With Meaning, Growing Readers, Strategies that Work, and Reading 
>Essentials.  I'm a real teacher nerd and love to read these books over and 
>over.  I use them a lot in my mini-lessons.  This year's group didn't seem 
>as clear in understanding the strategies as quickly as the previous year's 
>class.  We just took things slower.  The kids (and I) love the independent 
>reading part.  I think they get so much more out of individual conferences 
>and when I tell them they need to find a stopping place, they moan and 
>groan because they are "right in the middle of a good part".  I'll take 
>that kind of complaint any day!! Now I need some advice.  Our school has 
>just adopted the Houghton Mifflin reading series for next year and I spent 
>all afternoon listening to how to use the program.  I hope I don't sound 
>like a reading snob, but it was very hard for me to sit there.  Some of the 
>components to the program are fine, but I just think the approach I have 
>been using is sooooo much better!  I'm not a fan of workbooks and of course 
>we have two.  I know we are expected to use the series (especially this 
>first year), but I'm not sure to what extent.  I used the old basal series 
>for partner reading most of the time so I could say I used it.  And it did 
>have some good literature in it.   I don't want to go against the grain, 
>but I also cannot go back to teaching that way.  I'm trying to find a happy 
>medium between the two in a 90 minute block.  Any suggestions would be so 
>welcome.  I'm feeling very frustrated at this point.  I came straight home 
>to get your wonderful advice.  I'll probably be more calm about it tonight, 
>but as soon as I see the manuals tomorrow my blood pressure will go right 
>back up!  Help!
>
> Wendy
>  ----- Original Message ----- 
>  From: ginger/rob<mailto:read.think at sbcglobal.net>
>  To: 1 mosaic list<mailto:mosaic at literacyworkshop.org>
>  Sent: Sunday, May 27, 2007 10:34 AM
>  Subject: [MOSAIC] End of Year Reflection
>
>
>  As many of us are winding down to the finish line, I think it is 
> important
>  to reflect on how our comprehension teaching went this year.  Perhaps 
> there
>  is something you feel you tackled this year that you would like to share
>  with us.  What was challenging?  What was affirming?  How did your kids
>  grow?  Consider a look back over the year and just write in with whatever
>  comes to your mind.  I find I do my best reflecting when I just start 
> typing
>  as I am thinking back.
>
>  I'll go first.
>  This year I taught second grade.  A first for me. What I learned most is
>  that I sure had a lot to learn!! It has been a very humbling experience.
>  But one that I know has helped to make me more "well rounded" as far as 
> my
>  understanding of younger children and literacy instruction.
>
>  For me it was hard to find that balance of word work, decoding, and
>  comprehension instruction.  Yet I found that my students were so eager to
>  learn about the metacognitive process that readers use to make meaning. 
> We
>  did a lot of role playing of what a reader does. So they could "see/hear"
>  it.  I believe they know how to self monitor their inner thinking voice
>  better now than when the year started.  Now do they all do it?? Ha!  That 
> is
>  the hard part for me.  I wish so much for them to be ACTIVE in their 
> reading
>  yet so many of them slip back to the passive word caller role.  Even when
>  their ability to work out the words has so improved.  I know it will come 
> in
>  time.
>
>  I did an interactive think aloud with the book, Be Good To Eddie Lee, 
> this
>  past week.  I had them write their thinking during the key stopping 
> points.
>  Then those who wanted to share their written work, shared back whole 
> group.
>  It was so interesting to see/hear the different levels of depth in their
>  responses.  It was almost like taking a snapshot of each child for me.  I
>  could see the children writing.  They all wrote furiously at each 
> stopping
>  point. Yet when they read their "thinking", I was surprised at how many 
> are
>  still thinking at the surface level.  But it matches my experience of 
> them
>  this whole year.  (I know I am used to fourth graders and the depth they
>  take the talk so I believe the promise in them all.)  I do have a large
>  group of kids who do go deep and hearing their "thinking" and the 
> touching
>  emotional tones was very refreshing and encouraging.
>
>  I guess for me teaching in a primary grade (not my strength by the way!) 
> the
>  challenge was finding that balance.  The teaching all so relates and 
> builds.
>  We did finish the research strand on Physical Science with flying colors.
>  Their "All About" books (from Calkins Units of Study) turned out very 
> well-
>  impressive actually for 2nd graders.  We shared with two upper grade 
> classes
>  and just watching my kids do that was confirming.  We studied biographies 
> in
>  a very open way.  Simply reading biographies, noticing our new learnings 
> and
>  completing various reporting sheets.  I guess this has been a year of
>  building schema if nothing else.  Exposing them to different kinds of
>  reading to learn about what is to come in their own learning years.  I 
> guess
>  I did a good job of that.
>
>  I am going to teach third grade next year.  I won't have my whole class
>  again.  (Ever had a group that needs to be moved around?  They need it 
> and
>  so do I!)  I am looking forward to continuing my comprehension work with
>  those I'll have again and bringing on board the kids new to me.
>
>  I am committing to read a lot this summer.  I'll be announcing the Mosaic 
> of
>  Thought 2 online book chat soon.  So get your books ordered so you can
>  participate!!  I want to read Strategies That Work 2 and also it's been
>  recommended I read Teaching for Deep Comprehension by Dorn and Soffos. 
> I'd
>  love to hear what you will be reading this summer.
>
>  Please write in.  Reflecting is good for our souls.
>  Ginger
>  moderator
>  grade 2
>
>
>
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