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Kathy/5/IA - Welcome to our focus chat on reading!
Marjan - Just thought I'd tell you that my 6 year old is reading to his grandfather who is up for a visit (although I think it's past both their bedtimes!)
Kathy/5/IA - Wonderful, Marjan!!!!!!
Kathy/5/IA - I wish more children came from homes where reading is a priority!
Kathy/5/IA - Do your districts have a set basal, or do you do other things?
Kay - We are looking into a new reading series for grades 1-6. Any suggestions?
Kathy/5/IA - We are doing the same thing, Kay.
Marie - My school is also looking for a new series.
Jan - Hi from Iowa, just always interested in how others teach reading!
Kathy/5/IA - We have narrowed our "search" down to 3, but I would rather teach with trade books.
Jan - We just adopted a new series, Literacy Place, by Scholastic and I'm being "encouraged" to use it. Have always taught from trade books before.
Kathy/5/IA - How do you like the Scholastic? They were here last night giving us their "sales pitch".
Marie - We have a rep from Silver Burdett/ Ginn coming tomor. Any feedback??
Kathy/5/IA - We have the old Silver Burdett/Ginn...and they didn't make our "top 3" choices, but I really can't tell you why. They were here last spring.
Jan - to be perfectly honest, the book is ok but we've had a terrible time with our rep. still don't have all the material and it was ordered june 1st. He has been most uncooperative. What is your rep's name, kathy?
Kathy/5/IA - ooo, I can't remember. A lady did the presentation and a guy talked alittle about the technology.
Jan - You might mention to them if you pursue it, that another Iowa town has had a terrible time getting their order
Kathy/5/IA - Basals seem so controlling to me. They take my professionalism away. I've had so much success with Literature Circles.
Jan - Marie, what grade do you teach?
Marie - Grade One
Kathy/5/IA - I'm trying rate the Scholastic series - we have a meeting tomorrow night to discuss our feelings.
Marie - Kay, What grade do you teach?
Marie - kathy, What are your top 3 choices at this point
Jan - I didn't vote for the Scholastic, because I felt the 1st grade teacher's had the biggest responsibility to the basal. They really liked the Scholastic, that is why we went with it.
Kathy/5/IA - We had Rigby in about 3 weeks ago, looked at Scholastic last night, and are looking at Harcourt Brace in a few weeks.
Kay - Grade Three
Marie - Did you like Rigby?
Jan - Kay, what do you use?
Kathy/5/IA - Since you have adopted it - you say you are being encouraged to use it. Are you able to do other things, Jan?
Kathy/5/IA - I like Rigby's concept...but I'd rather use well known books and authors with my 5th graders. Their approach is more what I'd like to see us go toward.
Kathy/5/IA - There presentation was wonderful. I walked away with TONS of free books!!!!!!!!!! Many multiple sets of 6!
Jan - Yes, and probably wouln't "have" to use it, but thought I'd give it a shot. I stopped once and we read Number the Stars. We are just getting ready to read Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiller following a mystery unit in the book. Really the book is ok, and I needed a little nudge into using more reading for information. I used almost exclusively all literature.
Kathy/5/IA - Welcome blaso - we are discussion reading approaches and series tonight. What do you teach?
Kay - We need a program with a strong spelling component
blaso - spanish...elementary...at a multicultural school.....CT
Jan - Marie, where are you and how does your school approach literature?
Kathy/5/IA - We are a very multicultural school too, blaso. :0)
Kay - Sorry about the delay, we use Ginn, but it is 10 years old
Kathy/5/IA - Bet we are using the same thing, Kay!
blaso - my perception..is that public schools...need more books on 'DIVERSITY' so as to 'infuse' some more 'global awarenes' in our kids...
Kathy/5/IA - Very true, blaso!
Marie - I am in Ma. We have an old version of Silver Burdett. It was their first literature based series. I use it and supplement with trade books.
Jan - blaso, that is why I like to use literature, because you can have such wonderful discussions and see another world
Kathy/5/IA - That is one of the criteria we are looking for, blaso. Jan, do you feel the Scholastic has a good mix of literature as far as diversity goes?
Kay - In grades 2 and 3 we have a teacher using the "Wilson Spelling Program" Does anyone have any thoughts on this program or any other spelling program?
Marie - Kathy and Kay, What is your copyright date.
Kathy/5/IA - I haven't heard of the Wilson Spelling program.
Roe - We use Harcourt Brace-Treasury of Literature.I supplement with Rigby and Wright group levelled texts for guided readig groups.
blaso - when u say 'we are a very multicultural school too' u mean38 or 50% of your school kids..are of non american background ?f
Kathy/5/IA - We have the 1991 Silver Burdett.
Jan - Kathy, haven't noticed so far that it has a great amount, but must admit I'm only reading as I go. I'm just finishing the second unit, there are six.
Marie - Is the Wilson Progam a take-off of the old Spalding approach Kay?
Kathy/5/IA - What grade do you teach, Roe?
Jan - Kathy, what trade books do you use?
Kathy/5/IA - Not sure of the percentage - I'd guess about 40%. (mostly Hispanic and Vietnamese.
Roe - I teach first...looped from K with my class this year.
Kathy/5/IA - Right now I'm getting ready to use Michael Dorris's books in literature circles: Morning Girl, Guests, and See Behind Tree.
Kathy/5/IA - Do you feel the Harcourt/Brace and Rigby go together well?
Kay - 1989 for Ginn
Marie - Roe, Are you happy with HB?
Jan - Can you give me a brief version of how you conduct your literature circles?
Roe - I am not real crazy about the basal...prefer guided reading with the levelled texts. We are required to use the basal. So...
Roe - The literature in the basals is wonderful. But the stories are difficult for some of the children.
Marie - Do you use the Wright group for all your students?
Kathy/5/IA - Literature Circles is described in a book by Harvey Daniels. There are roles for each student. Students are in groups of 6 - all reading the same book. (Job: Discussion Director, Connector, Word Wizard, Summarizer, Passage Picker, Artful Artist) I have a great web site that describes it all bookmarked it you'd like it. http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/mla/circle/intro.html
Marie - Roe, Do you use the 4 block model to teach guided reading?
Kathy/5/IA - Do the upper grades use the Rigby/Wright books in your school.
Roe - I prefer the Pinnell and Fountas approach. I guess I use the 4 blocks approach when I am using the basal. It is more whole group.
Annette - I am currently conducting a survey so I would like to get some input
Annette - I teach 5th grade
Roe - Marie, what grade do you teach?
Annette - Kathy how many years are you teaching?
Annette - Marie how many years are you teaching?
Marie - Roe, I have seen their book and I am very interested in the aproach.
Annette - Roe how about you?
Marie - I have been teaching for 14years. This is my 10th year in first grade
Annette - Have you ever used the basal method approach
Roe - Great reference book. i am reading recovery trained, and have attended some literacy workshops at Lesley College in boston. irene Fountas is so good. some workshops
Marie - We used a basal at our school for may years but we would like to get away from it.
Roe - I have been teaching 28 years, all but 6 have been in K. I am currently in grade 1
Annette - Do you also teach from tradebooks?
Marie - Roe, I just saw the conference schedule for Lesley. They wll be there again in the fall of 99.
Kathy/5/IA - I would rather teach using trade books.
Roe - Marie, what do you use for reading?
Roe - Try to go. The interactive writing is wonderful. I might go to the guided reading in the summer.
Annette - my survey investigates how teachers choose literature so would you mind me asking you how you choose for your classes?
Kathy/5/IA - Are you a large district, Marie? Do others want to get away from the basal? We are so split here!
China1969 - Hi all! I teach special ed. I also would rather teach using trade books!
Annette - Would any of you be interested in completing one of my survey sheets. I would e-mail it to you and you could fill it out and mail it back. My e-mail address is AGuber110@aol.com
Kathy/5/IA - My district is moving toward a concept-based teaching method in SS. I'm trying to pick literature that goes with their themes right now. I also like to use books that are just plain fun for the kids to read. Ones that will introduce them to good authors, etc..
Annette - Kathy do you ever give the students guided choices?
Kathy/5/IA - If we would all rather teach with trade books WHY do we have basals!!!!!!!
China1969 - I will fill out a survy for you. My e-mail is Rayvynb@netscape.net
Kathy/5/IA - Oh yes, Annette!
Annette - We use basals because our principals don't trust us to teach the skills from tradebooks
Marie - I think too many teachers and admin. are afraid to give up the basal.
China1969 - I'm supposed to teach with basals because our pupil progression book mandates that we do. Uuuggg!
Kathy/5/IA - It is too bad they don't trust us. We ARE professionals!
Marie - I teach in Shrewsbury, ma
Annette - thanks china I will send you a survey
Roe - Marie, maybe we will meet at Lesley!
Annette - many teachers are just plain lazy. Teaching through tradebooks requires creativity and some hard work
Marie - I just got the schedule today. I am interested in a literacy workshop for first grades in Dec.
Kathy/5/IA - But then those of use with the creativity and hard work ethics get stiffled!!!!
Roe - Change is difficult for many teachers. they rely on the t. edition to plan, and feel lost without it.
Annette - Also the publishing companies do a good job of convincing the admin. that their method is "whole language"
Kay - we have to use a basal also, but is there a program that offers the option of using tradebooks?
Roe - Marie, I have to check the schedule.
Annette - If they have to rely solely on the t. ed. they cannot be very good teachers
China1969 - I tried tradebooks with my special ed ( nobody really looks at what special ed is teaching because we barely can get books). I used Halloween as a theme and chose three different levels of trade books for my reading groups. They really liked it.
Kathy/5/IA - So true, Annette!
Annette - China that sounds wonderful
SuperG - hello. what is a tradebook?
Kathy/5/IA - Kids need to have books in their hands! Not worksheets! (My opinion!)
SuperG - I couldn't agree more kathy.
Roe - The old saying...you read by reading, you write by writing!!
Marie - Yes Kathy! I am with you!
Kathy/5/IA - Trade books are, I guess, a teacher's term for paperback/hardback books.
China1969 - A trade book is simply a library book. Usually you can get several copies of the same book, Super G.
SuperG - At my school, most of the children write before they can read.
Annette - SuperG, Roe, LadyDi, I sent a message a few minutes ago about a survey I am conducting having to do with how teachers choose literature. If you would like to participate please let me know and I will send you a form. My e-mail address is AGuber110@aol.com
Kay - Silver Burdett, but we will be choosing a new one for next year
Annette - kay we just got SB in our school. I think i is very confusing. All that switching back and forth and all the extra material-what a waste
China1969 - What grade do you teach Super G?
SuperG - I teach k - Montessori
Marie - My students often write before reading. We also supplement with the Write to Read Program.
Kay - Annette, did you look at any other basals. Did they offer tradebooks
Kathy/5/IA - Marie, are you the one using Rigby? Do your upper grade teachers use it too?
China1969 - What is the Write to Read program, Marie?
Marie - Kay ..so you are searching for a new Spelling program too other than WIlson?
Marie - No we do not use Rigby?
Marie - can we help Kay?? What does everyone do for Spelling?
Annette - My principal did not give us any options. she just decided. I'm sure money was the issue. This program has tradebooks attached to it but there is so much to cover in each unit it is virtually impossible to have any decent tradebook reading going on
Kay - Yes, unless it is offered through the series we choose
SuperG - we do not give spelling tests. Spelling is assessed through their writing
Kathy/5/IA - For spelling I've been using words from Rebecca Sitton, and high frequency words. Also started to do some Word Wall activities.
Annette - If spelling was assessed through writing my kids would all fail. But I agree that is the way to assess for spelling
Marie - How is it approached?? High frequency words??
Kay - In the SB program, is there enough literature for the kids? Are they reading enough?
Roe - Using word wall activities from the 4 blocks. The kids love the fun of it and i love the results!
Marie - Kathy, we just saw the Rebecca Sitton video. Do you use her sourcebooks?? What grades??
China1969 - I use Project Read in my class. I choose my spelling words from the phonemes that I am working on. (like I said they don't do a lot of checking in special ed.) I also used the students journal to create individual spelling list (words they are having trouble with). Each student had a partner that called out the spelling words. This worked well as long as you monitored each group.
Kay - In the SB program, is there enough literature for the kids? Are they reading enough?
SuperG - we also do a word wall
Kathy/5/IA - I give a weekly test, but do activities during the week with the words. One day is group day (where they do an activity with a small group) one day is Individual day, one day is game day, and then the "test" on Friday.
Kathy/5/IA - I don't have the source book. Some teachers in my school were "trained" with the Sitton. I was new last year. They gave me the list of words.
Roe - Pat cunningham's book Phonics Month by Month for first grade is a terrific resource for working with words. Also Fountas and Pinnell have a new book out that deals with the same concept. have not seen it yet.
Kathy/5/IA - I just started using the Month by Month book for upper grades. I really like it.
Marie - How do you order those books. amazon?
Kay - Our parents want spelling list and the Friday test.
Kathy/5/IA - Which books, Marie?
Marie - Is the Pinnell and Fountas book Guided Reading
Roe - You can order them through teachers.net sponsor--apples & acorns. Not sure of the address. Also local teacher stores may carry them.
Amy - This is terrific. You're talking about spelling and I'm doing a paper on invented spelling
China1969 - Hi Amy what do you teach?
Amy - i don't teach yet... i'm a full time student in graduate school
Roe - Marie, guided Reading is their first book. This is another title that recently came out. It is listed in the new Wright Group catalog.
Kathy/5/IA - I'm using a lot of invented spelling tonight = or is it poor typing! HA!!
China1969 - Welcome to a low-paying , hardworking job. Amy!! (just kidding)
Marie - I will look into that Roe...thanks
Cathie/NC - I have a question about reading a tradebook with the whole class, how do you all do it, I have third grade
Kathy/5/IA - I use a concept called Literature Circles, Cathie. Here's a good web site: http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/mla/circle/intro.html Our Title I teacher uses it with third graders.
Amy - thanks marie, this is the 2nd chatgroup i've been part of. i'm actually using this for a dual purpose-- i have to get involved in listservs and chatgroups for one of my classes and i've got to find out about some reading stuff while i'm at it
China1969 - I would suggest that you begin with short books and have enough for each student or pair of students. Frank Schaffer has some Literature Notes for several trade books that suggest related activities.
Marie - Would that be a help to you Kay. Don't you also teach grade 3?
Cathie/NC - thank you. we are reading Charlotte's Web and my students each have their own book. Do you do a chapter a lesson.
Kathy/5/IA - Are there other topics you all would like to see dicussed here in the months to come? We meet here the third Wednesday of each month.
Marie - SPELLING
China1969 - I would do a chapter lesson and acitvities. We also have the Accelerated Reader at our school. This program allows the students to take individual test on the computer and it easy for record keeping at the end of each book.
Kay - Yes, that is a help. I have a small group of kids who are reading far above grade level and I would like to offer them something more to work with.
Kathy/5/IA - I'll put it on the list, Marie! Good idea.
Kathy/5/IA - Are you finding Accelerated reader to be a good motivational tool? We are looking into that.
Marie - Do you like Accelerated Reader China?
China1969 - I love it! I used it rewards last year with my regular fifth graders. The program suggest reading levels . I had my students in groups and gave treats when the group reached a specific goal (ex. 20 points for a group ect.)
Marie - Is anyone else familiar with Rebecca Sitton?
China1969 - Who is she, MMarie?
Marie - Rebecca Sitton has a Spelling approach uing a list of core words for each grade level.
Amy - let me change that can anyone recommend bookds that could be used to teach an integrated unit on the Westward Movement. they have to be appropriate for the fifth grade. only ones i can think of are the Laura Ingalls Wilder set
Marie - I only teach grade one...sorry I have no idea.
China1969 - I liked the story Pioneer Cat ( can't remember the author, sorry). I think you students would like it Amy!
Marie - Why not post a message on one of the chatoards. I bet you'd get help there.
Susie - Lots of folks have had more than they wanted of answers on one of the many mailrings.
Amy - can you recommend any books that could be used with an integrated unit on the Westward Movement?
Susie - Westward Movement books--has Karen Hesse written any? All of hers are excellent. I've used just Letters from Rifka and Which Way Freedom? the latter is Civil War vintage.
Susie - Do you belong to a grade appropriate mailring? One practice teacher got tons of info for several units by posting questions there. Lots of good discussion, too.
Kathy/5/IA - Thanks for coming to this focus chat everyone! We will meet here again the third Wednesday in Decemeber (I think...if it's not too close to Christmas!)
