[MOSAIC] NYC Middle School Reading + Webb's Depth of Knowledge

[Linda]

Do any of you use Webb's Depth of Knowledge?  If so, can you send some 
example reading questions.  We have just started with this and it is really 
different.  All I know is that it is supposed to be very higher order 
thinking.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <shelley at authenticeducation.org>
 Good Morning-
> As a former literacy coach in a New York City school district serving 
> 20,000 students with a range of disabilities I have focused most of my 
> work in bringing the instructional framework of balanced literacy through 
> the workshop model to our classrooms because in its highest form the 
> workshop model represents the highest level of differentiation to meet the 
> needs of all students.  This model also provides equity an access to 
> authentic literacy education which is guaranteed under IDEA.  We have 
> embraced the AMERICA'S CHOICE RAMP-UP to LITERACY program for our middle 
> and high school students.
>
> Changes in promotional policy in the NYC schools has resulted in a 
> significant RESPONSE TO INTERVENTION initiative which provides students 
> with targeted literacy intervention in ADDITION to literacy instruction 
> through the READERS and WRITERS workshop.  With specific programs to 
> address specific targeted needs of students in word study and fluency 
> building, programs that involve the use of technology ( a natural 
> connection for middle school students) have proven to be quite successful 
> as evidenced by the rise in 8th grade test scores.
>
> Additionally, students who are identified as "promotion in doubt" are 
> provided with an intense summer program across disciplines with students 
> taking a standardized assessment in ELA and/or MATH for promotion 
> purposes.  In the content areas of science and social studies, students 
> are required to complete an "exit-project" with the components of a 
> written document, a visual representation and an oral presentation.
>
> When totaled together, all of these instructional initiatives provide 
> several appropriate opportunities for students to make significant 
> academic gains.
>
> Shelley Levy