[MOSAIC] reminder to the list

[CNJPALMER at aol.com]

Ladies and gents...
The very LAST thing I want to do is to be the 'reading police'. I don't  want 
the atmosphere on the list to be one where everyone is afraid to post  
because they are afraid they'll get their hand slapped for being off topic. That  is 
not my style, believe me. Every time I have to put a reminder up about the  
purposes of the listserv I get a knot in my gut. I hate it, really, because I  
know the off topic discussion is driven by a drive to learn and improve  
yourselves. This list is about open communication, about supporting each other  and 
about listening to a variety of opinions and perspectives and learning from  
them. I have tremendous respect for the minds on this list...you all are on 
the  'cutting edge'...you are kid-focused and self motivated learners. I learn  
from you every single day... And so...when I post one of my gentle  
reminders...I sit back and hope that I haven't insulted anyone and pray that  folks 
understand where I am coming from.
 
Having said that, perhaps I need to clarify exactly that point...why I  don't 
let the discussion linger too long off  topic.  We all know that there is 
tremendous power in  focused discussion. Think about what Ellin is trying to get 
us to do in the  teaching of reading...teaching less so we can teach for depth 
of understanding.  If you ever talk to Ginger about how this list started, 
her vision was that  through focused dialogue, we could learn from each other 
and have a profound  impact on how children learn to comprehend and think. We 
get the depth of  thinking, the great ideas, because we maintain focus. The list 
has grown and  there are literally thousands of members who come here 
precisely for the level  of the dialogue that has resulted from staying true to the 
vision. While there  are only a few of us who are regular posters, there are 
many, many lurkers who  come just to listen in. They come because of what we 
have made of this list,  together. I can't tell you how many nationally known  
presenters I have heard refer to this listserv...we have a powerful reputation  
and we are affecting many, many classrooms beyond our own. The impact we have  
comes from the high levels of discussion which come in turn from staying true 
to  the mission and vision behind this list. 
 
Renee and others are right...reading and understanding are a broad  
field...there is much that impacts reading comprehension. I am not saying we can  only 
talk strategy instruction but I am going to ask that when you post,  you make 
those connections to reading comprehension explicit. OUR  vision...what we 
want for our students...deep reading and deep thinking in all  subject 
areas...may be served best by keeping our discussion focused. 
 
Is this making sense? If you all want to start a separate discussion group  
related to understanding deeply in the content areas, I will be the first to  
sign up. 
Jennifer



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