1st yr. teacher and AR

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1st yr. teacher and AR

by muffin21

Jun 23, 2009

Hello all! I've been reading some of the AR posts and I can see that there are divided feelings about AR. My situation is this: I will be a first year teacher teaching 8th grade reading. I grew up in a small school district that did not use AR; therefore, I have absolutely no experience with it. The principal basically told me that the school spent a lot of money getting the program, but that doesn't mean I should use it to supplement instruction. In other words, "use the program at least a little bit so our money doesn't go to waste." They told me that the school librarian can help me figure out the program. I'm not really sure what to do.

I read "jme's" post back in March about how she does grades for the AR. I like that idea, but I'm still not sure what to do seeing as how I have no experience with this. Also, what is this about STAR? Is that like a diagnostics from AR so I can see what their reading levels are? That is definitely something I would be interested in doing t...See More

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whit Hello! I can understand that you are very overwhelmed with everything. I feel your pain. I use AR in my classroom. I love it, but IT IS NOT the only thing I use. In order to use AR and understand how it works, I would suggest using it on yourself. Read some books and take the tests. This will allow you to be able to see how you can use AR in your r...See More

Jun 30, 2009

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cjf On 6/29/09, Tom wrote: > Safe to say we know what side CJF stands on. The beauty of > teaching is the fact you do it the way you feel best. There is > always opinionated people for and against a certain style. I > base my results on actual use and how I see my students grow, > not a thesis or controlled group regardless if that resea...See MoreOn 6/29/09, Tom wrote: > Safe to say we know what side CJF stands on. The beauty of > teaching is the fact you do it the way you feel best. There is > always opinionated people for and against a certain style. I > base my results on actual use and how I see my students grow, > not a thesis or controlled group regardless if that research > came from the company, a book or Donald Duck. Any story good or > bad can show stats and results of many different sizes and > control factors to prove their point. In my opinion, you need > to see what works for youand what works for your students. The > funny thing about any research paper or book is that they never > really give you alternate solutions or the pros/cons of them. > They all point towards their hypothisis or conclusion. So take > each opinon (Regardless of the form it is published or presented > in) with a grain of salt. There is no 1 perfect way to teach > reading.

Teaching can not be about doing things the way you feel best, it can only be about what's best for the students. As professionals it is our responsibilty to make informed instructional decisions based on research proven practices. We've had too many years of "doing our own thing". Reading and reflecting upon non-biased, peer reviewed research isn't really a choice we get to make as educators, it is what we must do as educators. Would you want a surgeon to operate on you if he or she isn't current on best practices. I wouldn't risk my future with a Dr. who is going to "do things the way it feels best to him", or because he's confident that he knows enough already and doesn't need to keep current with the advances made in medicine. There might not be 1 perfect way to teach, but there are numerous practices that have been proven to be the most effective, and we owe it to our students to offer them the best instruction possible, not what we prefer or feel best about. Go to Heinneman.com and skim through professional books written about reading and writing instruction. There really is more to teaching reading than just doing what works for ya!

Jul 1, 2009

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Ima Teacher I have used the program for a long time, and I currently use it with my 7th graders. I am certified to train in the use of the program. I focus on trainings for middle and high schools that use it as a graded program.

I would be happy to answer any specific questions for you if you want to email me. I am no longer answering to the board d...See More

Jul 2, 2009

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Tom CTF, you make a very good point. All I am trying to say is that someone can find researched based articles for or against any given product. How can they all be correct or incorrect? They are opinions that have scientific proof to state their case. All I am trying to suggest is do more than just background article research. You each have a mind tha...See MoreCTF, you make a very good point. All I am trying to say is that someone can find researched based articles for or against any given product. How can they all be correct or incorrect? They are opinions that have scientific proof to state their case. All I am trying to suggest is do more than just background article research. You each have a mind that you can use. That is the most powerful tool available to us. Take advise from researched backed programs when SELECTING what to use, but ultimatly, you need to formulate your own hypothesis from that. Have you followed best practices with that software? Were you creative in the use of the software? Did you formulate the software to work for your students?

On 7/01/09, cjf wrote: > On 6/29/09, Tom wrote: >> Safe to say we know what side CJF stands on. The beauty of >> teaching is the fact you do it the way you feel best. There is >> always opinionated people for and against a certain style. I >> base my results on actual use and how I see my students grow, >> not a thesis or controlled group regardless if that research >> came from the company, a book or Donald Duck. Any story good or >> bad can show stats and results of many different sizes and >> control factors to prove their point. In my opinion, you need >> to see what works for youand what works for your students. The >> funny thing about any research paper or book is that they never >> really give you alternate solutions or the pros/cons of them. >> They all point towards their hypothisis or conclusion. So take >> each opinon (Regardless of the form it is published or presented >> in) with a grain of salt. There is no 1 perfect way to teach >> reading. > > Teaching can not be about doing things the way you feel best, it > can only be about what's best for the students. As professionals it > is our responsibilty to make informed instructional decisions based > on research proven practices. We've had too many years of "doing > our own thing". Reading and reflecting upon non-biased, peer > reviewed research isn't really a choice we get to make as > educators, it is what we must do as educators. > Would you want a surgeon to operate on you if he or she isn't > current on best practices. I wouldn't risk my future with a Dr. who > is going to "do things the way it feels best to him", or because > he's confident that he knows enough already and doesn't need to > keep current with the advances made in medicine. > There might not be 1 perfect way to teach, but there are numerous > practices that have been proven to be the most effective, and we > owe it to our students to offer them the best instruction possible, > not what we prefer or feel best about. > Go to Heinneman.com and skim through professional books written > about reading and writing instruction. There really is more to > teaching reading than just doing what works for ya!

Jul 13, 2009

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Carolyn I agree, cjf. I believe it is our duty to remain up to date on current practices and make informative decisions. I think there are too many people out there shilling their wares to educators who accept their products with "blind faith".

I took a workshop this summer, and was all excited about Eric Jensen's Brain Based Learning Theory. Tha...See MoreI agree, cjf. I believe it is our duty to remain up to date on current practices and make informative decisions. I think there are too many people out there shilling their wares to educators who accept their products with "blind faith".

I took a workshop this summer, and was all excited about Eric Jensen's Brain Based Learning Theory. That's the latest concept being sold to educators in in-services (I know, I was one of them). I was just thrilled to learn about it.

It turns out, after doing my own thorough research (as a requirement for this graduate level workshop I attended), that it is pretty much bunk. There is NO evidence to support that educators can use the right-brain, left brain teaching methodologies, because our brains aren't always wired that way. It's too "cut and dry" to say that works.

I DO believe that the brain has two separate hemispheres, which could contribute to us being better skilled in certain endeavors, but after reading the research, even the top notch cognitive psychologists out there (Drs Willingham and Bruer as two examples), say there is no definitive educational teaching methodology out there that can guarantee success in getting students to learn based solely on how their brain functions.

On 7/01/09, cjf wrote: > On 6/29/09, Tom wrote: >> Safe to say we know what side CJF stands on. The beauty of >> teaching is the fact you do it the way you feel best. There is >> always opinionated people for and against a certain style. I >> base my results on actual use and how I see my students grow, >> not a thesis or controlled group regardless if that research >> came from the company, a book or Donald Duck. Any story good or >> bad can show stats and results of many different sizes and >> control factors to prove their point. In my opinion, you need >> to see what works for youand what works for your students. The >> funny thing about any research paper or book is that they never >> really give you alternate solutions or the pros/cons of them. >> They all point towards their hypothisis or conclusion. So take >> each opinon (Regardless of the form it is published or presented >> in) with a grain of salt. There is no 1 perfect way to teach >> reading. > > Teaching can not be about doing things the way you feel best, it > can only be about what's best for the students. As professionals it > is our responsibilty to make informed instructional decisions based > on research proven practices. We've had too many years of "doing > our own thing". Reading and reflecting upon non-biased, peer > reviewed research isn't really a choice we get to make as > educators, it is what we must do as educators. > Would you want a surgeon to operate on you if he or she isn't > current on best practices. I wouldn't risk my future with a Dr. who > is going to "do things the way it feels best to him", or because > he's confident that he knows enough already and doesn't need to > keep current with the advances made in medicine. > There might not be 1 perfect way to teach, but there are numerous > practices that have been proven to be the most effective, and we > owe it to our students to offer them the best instruction possible, > not what we prefer or feel best about. > Go to Heinneman.com and skim through professional books written > about reading and writing instruction. There really is more to > teaching reading than just doing what works for ya!

Aug 12, 2009

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