[MOSAIC] Mosaic Digest, Vol 21, Issue 9

[Kurtt,Casey]

Michelle,

Thanks for your advice.  Unfortunately, my students who need the most support in reading get pulled during our 3rd grade 45-minute reading block.  I've added 15 minutes of reading time before our official reading block starts so that I can do a mini-lesson before these students get pulled.  I'd love to add another 15 minutes to this block of time so that I could get in a 30 minute lesson, but then my social studies/science/health time would drop down to 15 minutes.  I'll have to brainstorm some scheduling alternatives this summer.  Thanks again for your advice.

Casey


-----Original Message-----
From: mosaic-bounces at literacyworkshop.org on behalf of Plongshell at aol.com
Sent: Fri 5/9/2008 5:19 AM
To: mosaic at literacyworkshop.org
Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] Mosaic Digest, Vol 21, Issue 9
 

I teach  3rd grade and was wondering which toolkit would be better to use.  
I've  heard the intermediate toolkit is pretty challenging for 3rd  graders.   
I plan on going through the kit(s) this summer and  breaking the lessons into 
15 minute mini-lessons so I can use them during  Reader's Workshop.  Any input 
on which toolkit would be more appropriate  for 3rd grade would be much 
appreciated.  If anyone else has used these  toolkits to create mini-lessons I 
would love to get your advice on how you  went about it. 

Thanks,
Casey
Casey- I have used the intermediate tool kit on and off for two  years. I 
work with struggling readers in grades 2-5 and had differentiated it  for my 4-5 
classes. I haven't seen the primary kit but that would be my guess  for you. 
The text that comes with the upper kit is challenging for even average  kids- I 
lent it to a 3rd grade teacher and she confirmed it. The basic lessons  and 
wonderful graphic organizers could work in 3rd grade if you really work hard  
to replicate the lessons with easier materials. Again I'm coming from a  
intervention perspective, but I don't think the lessons should be cropped into  15 
minute minis- they really help kids understand strategies and perhaps if they  
were in shorter chunks not everyone would benefit. I had 30 minute periods and 
I  was usually able to get through the introduction and modeling with some 
guided  practice, saving the independent for the next day or days work. 
Hope this helps.
Michelle 2-5 ais  ny






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