[MOSAIC] Books and Grade Levels
donna hayden
phhayden at comcast.net
Wed May 14 21:35:27 EDT 2008
Could you please email me the titles that you are using for this 'Community
Read'. Our school is interested in doing this too. You could respond to my
email address: phhayden at comcast.net.
Thanks so much,
Donna
-----Original Message-----
From: mosaic-bounces at literacyworkshop.org
[mailto:mosaic-bounces at literacyworkshop.org] On Behalf Of Mike Odland
Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2008 11:11 PM
To: 'Mosaic: A Reading Comprehension Strategies Email Group'
Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] Books and Grade Levels
Leslie,
This sounds wonderful! Could you share this year's titles with us?
deb in Minnesota in a snowstorm!
-----Original Message-----
From: mosaic-bounces at literacyworkshop.org
[mailto:mosaic-bounces at literacyworkshop.org] On Behalf Of Lespop4 at aol.com
Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2008 10:00 PM
To: mosaic at literacyworkshop.org
Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] Books and Grade Levels
Amy,
I am in a K-8 building and every month we ALL read the same book for what
we
call "Community Read". Week one the teachers all read the book to their
class, on a designated day at a designated time. Week two- at a designated
time
the book is further visited perhaps with an acitivity or discussion. Week
three more of the book with another activity. Week four each class meets
with
their "Buddy Class" to jointly create a product that connects to the book's
theme. We choose out books by values, so that is our thrust. We pair
grades
8 and 3, 7 and 2, K and 5 and so on. It is a FABULOUS program, enjoyed by
all.
Leslie
In a message dated 4/7/2008 11:15:06 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
aswancc at olatheschools.com writes:
Wendy,
I am responding to your post when you wrote, "I think we have some teachers
coming around to this way of teaching and it excites me but I also have
reservations about how to approach them with the idea of not using each
others
mentor texts. How do you set this up in your schools? Are there certain
books
that have been "assigned" (for lack of a better word) to each grade level
for
modeling strategies so the same books aren't used over and over again for
the same lesson?"
Thank you for asking such an important question! I think it's one that
many
of us have struggled with. I know that this may not be the response you're
looking for, but...
I don't worry about it. Honestly, I don't. I select books that I
personally love and can think-aloud about authentically, with purpose, and
with
passion. If another teacher has shared the book with kids previously, I
think
that's perfect! (To be quite honest, I'm usually just THRILLED that the
kids
actually REMEMBERED that the book had been shared with them in the past!!
Forgetful little buggers...*hee*hee*!)
I understand that you have lessons that are dear to your heart that have
been inspired by RWM or MOT or other sources (that we all know and *love*!)
However, I would encourage you to branch out and try some new texts. I do
own
personal copies of MANY texts that speak to my heart, however I'm always
searching the library for new ones to share with my class. I really try
not to
tie myself down to the same texts year after year. Maybe it's just my own
personal need for "newness", but I feel invigorated by the fact that my
workshop
selections vary so widely from year to year. I try to keep track of the
texts I share from year to year and it's fun to see the trends in my
selections.
I've learned an awful lot about MYSELF as a reader that way!
Now, back to your question...from everything that I've read - it's highly
beneficial for students to have multiple encounters with the SAME TEXT.
Usually, this occurs in the same year with the same teacher. However, I
would
imagine, that when students have the opportunity to experience the same
text at
least one year later, the "understanding" would actually deepen and the
connections would become more purposeful, meaningful, and insightful. This
effect
would be the result of 2 incredible teachers with diverse perspectives and
backgrounds modeling their thinking/response process to the same text.
Also,
the students will have "lived" another year and have that much more life
experience in their schema to enable them to make richer connections with
the
text. (Also, from personal experience, it's just plain fun for the kiddos!
It
makes them feel so mature! Cute, Cute, Cute!!)
The only hitch that I see, is if teachers are not participating in
authentic
think-alouds. What I mean by this is...teachers "channelling the spirit"
(by this I mean - memorizing the words) of Debbie Miller or Ellin Keene
when
they present the think-alouds to students. You wrote that your concern is
teachers using the same books (not a problem) to teach the SAME LESSONS
(problem.) If the latter is the case, I can understand your concern.
However, it's
one that can be easily rectified! Even though Debbie and Ellin have a
blissfully "zen" way with words/strategies/kids/life...it's important for
teachers
to be authentic (even if it doesn't seem nearly as brilliant!) When 2
teachers share their thinking about the same text, what they share is (very
naturally) going to be different! They each have a different set of life
experiences to connect to, they each have a different set of kids with
different needs,
they each have a different purpose/focus for the lesson, etc. Especially
when this crosses grade levels, the concern with sharing the same text
should
dissipate. As a 3rd grade teacher, I would use /Owl Moon/ very differently
than a 1st or 5th grade teacher. And my students would greatly benefit as
a
result of all 3 lessons throughout their elementary years!
You might want to check out a recent article in The Reading Teacher about a
project that a school did with "Touchstone Texts". They started a book of
the month club and every teacher in the entire building received a copy of
the
SAME BOOK to share with their students. My librarian and I were totally
inspired by this idea and are going to implement in our building next year.
Just
think of the potential for enchancing the climate of your school. How cool
is it for a 1st, 3rd, and 5th grader to be able to sit down and chat about
their responses to a great book together?! What a great feeling of
COMMUNITY
and SHARED LITERACY!
:) Warmest Regards (and wishes for sweet dreams!)
Amy
Amy Swan
3rd Grade Teacher
Cedar Creek Elementary
(913)780-7360
CHECK OUT OUR CLASS WEBPAGE!! http://teachers.olathe.k12.ks.us/~aswancc/
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