Idea summaries from The Reading Teacher, May 2007. Summarizing these articles does not imply advocacy. RayS.
Curriculum..... Video games.... Investigate the learning principles that underlie successful video games and how these principles can improve instruction. C Compton-Lilly. RT (May 07), 726.
Reading..... Video games..... What are some principles that underlie successful use of video games that could be applied to reading instruction? Authentic; engaging; read only books that interest; practice leads to improvement; risk-free; time to talk with teachers about what students are reading; broaden the range of resources. C Compton-Lilly. RT (May 07), 727.
Curriculum..... Achievement..... Performance gap exists between white, affluent Caucasian students and low-income white, African-American and Latino students--no matter what measure is used. WH Teale and LB Gambrell. RT (May 07), 728.
Reading..... Aloud..... Research on reading aloud to children, ages 3 to 6: improvement in vocabulary, literary syntax, story recall, organization and expressive language. However, modest relationship between frequency and quality of parent-child read-alouds; negative between kindergarten teachers' reading aloud and decoding. Merely reading aloud is not sufficient for oral vocabulary and listening comprehension. LM McGee and JA Schickedanz. RT (May 07), 742.
Reading..... Aloud..... Authors recommend that teachers read aloud interactively with young children. Means careful preparation before reading. LM McGee and JA Schickedanz. RT (May 07), 742-751.
Writing..... Summarizing..... Steps in teaching students to write a summary: study model; modeler writes a summary while thinking aloud; student writes summary and compares to model with the aid of the modeler. L Helsel and D Greenberg. RT (May 07), 753.
Computer..... Data..... "Being data rich doesn't necessarily translate into being data smart." NA Reilly. RT (May 07), 770.
Reading..... Summer..... Tips for parents. Early readers: point out print; read aloud and point to words; read short passage until child can read with you and then to you; older children should read to younger; pretend read; library; write messages; watch TV with captions on. Tips for parents of advanced children: talk about what child is reading; library; read aloud; listen to children read aloud; play word games. M Mraz and JT Razinski. RT (May 07), 788.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Monday, May 7, 2007
English Updates. May 7, 2007. The Writer. June 07.
The following selections are summarized or quoted from The Writer, June 2007.
Writing.... Words and Pictures.... "Words are undervalued as a means of expression. Pictures tend to trivialize experience." Attributed to Arthur Miller. Wrt (Jun. 07), 9.
Writing.... Stories..... "There are various schools of thought on whether or not man is a gregarious creature by nature. Personally, I doubt it. Men live together because it is safer, more convenient and easier, but they have never become quite reconciled to the idea. Strife will crop up, rivalry will grow intense, and the struggle for the simple necessities of life can bring men to the breaking point. Jungle law, fortunately for the writer, still prevails even if it has been smoothed over and made less obvious. The old emotions are still there, stirring beneath the surface, and ever ready to explode." Louis L'Amour. Wrt (Jun. 42/07), p. 9.
Writing.... Advice..... Read, read, read, always with an idea of what makes a book tick. E Goudge. Wrt (Jun. 07), 13.
Reading..... Interest..... Teachers, read to students. Students, read to teachers. BS McClure. Wrt (Jun. 07), 14.
Writing..... Point of View..... Write from the "you" point of view. "You woke up and saw blood on the ceiling." A very unusual point of view from which to write a novel or a story. A Plotnik. Wrt (Jun. 07), 15.
Writing..... Mysteries..... "When I begin a mystery, I know the killer, the victim and the motive." E. George. Qtd. by K Pohl. Wrt (Jun. 07), 21.
Writing..... Role..... Writing is a job but it is not a chore. E George. Qtd. by K Pohl. Wrt (Jun. 07), 21.
Writing..... Writer's Block..... Elizabeth George does not suffer from writer's block because she does preliminary work. Resource material. Character analysis. Plot outline. Lists of scenes. If "you have a problem, ask, 'What is the question.'?" E George. Qtd. by K Pohl. Wrt (Jun. 07), 22.
Writing..... Journal..... Elizabeth George keeps a journal on her writing while writing. Helps to demystify the writing process. E. George Qtd. by K Pohl. Wrt (Jun. 07), 22.
Writing..... Process..... "Every writer has a distinctive trade mark." RA Papinchak. Wrt (Jun. 07), 26.
Writing..... Revision..... If something tells you it's not right, free write it! [I understand freewriting as beginning with a word or phrase and continuing to write without controlling the direction of the thought. It's sort of a controlled brainstorm. RayS.] A Couturier. Wrt (Jun. 07), 28-29.
Writing..... Editing..... "Misspellings, typos and grammatical errors blow your credibility...." C Gulotta. Wrt (Jun. 07), 31.
Writing.... Advice..... Writers are often told to write what you know. Bah! That's what research is for--to reach beyond your personal horizons. DJ Bear. Wrt (Jun. 07), 32.
Writing..... Publishing..... Instead of trying to break into major magazines, publish in smaller, lesser known magazines or journals. L. Tritten. Wrt (Jun. 07), 47-48.
Writing.... Words and Pictures.... "Words are undervalued as a means of expression. Pictures tend to trivialize experience." Attributed to Arthur Miller. Wrt (Jun. 07), 9.
Writing.... Stories..... "There are various schools of thought on whether or not man is a gregarious creature by nature. Personally, I doubt it. Men live together because it is safer, more convenient and easier, but they have never become quite reconciled to the idea. Strife will crop up, rivalry will grow intense, and the struggle for the simple necessities of life can bring men to the breaking point. Jungle law, fortunately for the writer, still prevails even if it has been smoothed over and made less obvious. The old emotions are still there, stirring beneath the surface, and ever ready to explode." Louis L'Amour. Wrt (Jun. 42/07), p. 9.
Writing.... Advice..... Read, read, read, always with an idea of what makes a book tick. E Goudge. Wrt (Jun. 07), 13.
Reading..... Interest..... Teachers, read to students. Students, read to teachers. BS McClure. Wrt (Jun. 07), 14.
Writing..... Point of View..... Write from the "you" point of view. "You woke up and saw blood on the ceiling." A very unusual point of view from which to write a novel or a story. A Plotnik. Wrt (Jun. 07), 15.
Writing..... Mysteries..... "When I begin a mystery, I know the killer, the victim and the motive." E. George. Qtd. by K Pohl. Wrt (Jun. 07), 21.
Writing..... Role..... Writing is a job but it is not a chore. E George. Qtd. by K Pohl. Wrt (Jun. 07), 21.
Writing..... Writer's Block..... Elizabeth George does not suffer from writer's block because she does preliminary work. Resource material. Character analysis. Plot outline. Lists of scenes. If "you have a problem, ask, 'What is the question.'?" E George. Qtd. by K Pohl. Wrt (Jun. 07), 22.
Writing..... Journal..... Elizabeth George keeps a journal on her writing while writing. Helps to demystify the writing process. E. George Qtd. by K Pohl. Wrt (Jun. 07), 22.
Writing..... Process..... "Every writer has a distinctive trade mark." RA Papinchak. Wrt (Jun. 07), 26.
Writing..... Revision..... If something tells you it's not right, free write it! [I understand freewriting as beginning with a word or phrase and continuing to write without controlling the direction of the thought. It's sort of a controlled brainstorm. RayS.] A Couturier. Wrt (Jun. 07), 28-29.
Writing..... Editing..... "Misspellings, typos and grammatical errors blow your credibility...." C Gulotta. Wrt (Jun. 07), 31.
Writing.... Advice..... Writers are often told to write what you know. Bah! That's what research is for--to reach beyond your personal horizons. DJ Bear. Wrt (Jun. 07), 32.
Writing..... Publishing..... Instead of trying to break into major magazines, publish in smaller, lesser known magazines or journals. L. Tritten. Wrt (Jun. 07), 47-48.
Monday, April 30, 2007
English Updates. April 30, 2007. Eng. Ed. April 2007. Archives.
English Education. April 2007.
Curriculum..... PhD..... Bob Petrone is doing his PhD dissertation on the literacy practices of adolescent boys who participate in skateboarding culture. EngEd (Apr. 07), 196. [Make what you want of that information.]
Literature..... Response..... Students prepare stories of scenes in novels or short stories. What's the difference between a story and a summary? Suggested by MM Juzhik and MB Sherry. EngEd (Apr. 07), 236-258.
Literature..... Culture..... What problems do immigrants face on coming to America? One reason for reading multicultural literature. What are assumptions about immigrants by American students? MK Thompson. EngEd (Apr. 07), 260.
Archives
Speaking..... Writing..... What is the relationship between speaking and writing? “…I find that the more opportunities students have to practice formal oral language, the better their academic writing becomes.” M Cruz. EJ (Jul. 05), 15.
Writing..... Reading..... What is the role of the writer in encouraging readers to read? “To make sure the readers persist, we have to pique them with questions worth answering.” S Dimeo. Wrt (Apr. 05), 33.
Writing..... Advice..... What are some purposes for writing? “Write the book you want to read.” Marilynne Robinson. Wrt (Apr. 05), 25.
Writing..... Argument..... What are the assumptions in an argument? In examining cartoons as well as arguments, what assumptions must the audience share with the cartoonist and the polemicist? BL Brunk-Chavez. TETYC (Dec. 04), 179-185.
Writing..... Assignment..... What are some interesting writing assignments? Students recall and try to re-create in writing a scene from nature, when they said, “That’s beautiful.” R Laughlin. CN+ (Jan. 05), 3.
Writing..... Assignments..... What are some criticisms of writing assignments in classrooms? “But the main insight I have about my own literacy history is that none of the important or meaningful writing I have produced happened as a result of a writing assignment given in a classroom.”—Lillian Bridwell Bowles, 1995. KB Yancey, CCC (Dec. 04), 298. Have students write for real audiences and send that writing to the real person. H Mancina. EJ (Jul. 05), 31-35.
Writing..... Basic..... What is one goal in working with basic writers? “Overcoming any students’, but particularly basic writing students’, fears and doubts regarding themselves as writers is a huge victory. A. Reichert. TETYC (Dec. 04), 171.
Writing..... Beginning..... What is the most effective way to begin stories? “The most common mistake we writers make, especially in first drafts, is to back into the tale and wait too many pages to start the real story.” S Dimeo. Wrt (Apr. 05), 31. “Start with a bang, not a whimper. That play on TS Eliot’s famous line from ‘The Hollow Men’ offers fiction writers good advice for two major reasons. A bang-up opening to the narrative not only hooks the reader but also helps focus the writer’s tone and intent on what follows. Noted writers have long affirmed just how crucial the opening is…. But the best way to master a good opening is to see how classic authors…have done it best.” S Dimeo. Wrt (Apr. 05), 31.
Writing..... Children’s literature..... How long does it take writers to write books? Roald Dahl: “I have written only two long children’s books myself, and for all I know they may be completely worthless…. Each of them took somewhere between eight and nine months to complete, with no time off for other work, and eight or nine months is a big slice out of the life of any writer….” Wrt (Apr. 05), 8.
Writing..... Courses..... What don’t standardized writing tests tell us about student writers? “Standardized tests like the SAT II and our own writing placement test, while they do provide some data about student writers, do not capture some of the qualities—like motivation, task persistence, and the metacognitive abilities that allow students to take courses strategically—that count most heavily toward success in the university. (That is why high school GPA remains the most accurate single predictor of success in college.)” S McLeod, H Horn & RH Haswell. CCC (June 05), 556-580.
Writing..... Courses..... What are the advantages of short courses in writing? “Authors found that the short, 6-week writing course helped students with poor standardized test scores succeed in learning to write because of “immersion.” “We now know that our accelerated courses do not shortchange but actually support student learning: we can now look for ways to offer such ‘immersion’ experiences in other venues….” S McLeod, H Horn & RH Haswell. CCC (June 05), 556-580.
Writing..... Creative..... How teach students to construct a story? Using 12 shots, students create a photo story with accompanying text on index cards. R Wilder. CN+ (Aug. 05), 14-15.
EngEd = English Education. CN+ = Classroom Notes Plus. CCC = College Composition and Communication. Wrt = The Writer. TETYC = Teaching English in the Two-Year College. EJ = English Journal.
Curriculum..... PhD..... Bob Petrone is doing his PhD dissertation on the literacy practices of adolescent boys who participate in skateboarding culture. EngEd (Apr. 07), 196. [Make what you want of that information.]
Literature..... Response..... Students prepare stories of scenes in novels or short stories. What's the difference between a story and a summary? Suggested by MM Juzhik and MB Sherry. EngEd (Apr. 07), 236-258.
Literature..... Culture..... What problems do immigrants face on coming to America? One reason for reading multicultural literature. What are assumptions about immigrants by American students? MK Thompson. EngEd (Apr. 07), 260.
Archives
Speaking..... Writing..... What is the relationship between speaking and writing? “…I find that the more opportunities students have to practice formal oral language, the better their academic writing becomes.” M Cruz. EJ (Jul. 05), 15.
Writing..... Reading..... What is the role of the writer in encouraging readers to read? “To make sure the readers persist, we have to pique them with questions worth answering.” S Dimeo. Wrt (Apr. 05), 33.
Writing..... Advice..... What are some purposes for writing? “Write the book you want to read.” Marilynne Robinson. Wrt (Apr. 05), 25.
Writing..... Argument..... What are the assumptions in an argument? In examining cartoons as well as arguments, what assumptions must the audience share with the cartoonist and the polemicist? BL Brunk-Chavez. TETYC (Dec. 04), 179-185.
Writing..... Assignment..... What are some interesting writing assignments? Students recall and try to re-create in writing a scene from nature, when they said, “That’s beautiful.” R Laughlin. CN+ (Jan. 05), 3.
Writing..... Assignments..... What are some criticisms of writing assignments in classrooms? “But the main insight I have about my own literacy history is that none of the important or meaningful writing I have produced happened as a result of a writing assignment given in a classroom.”—Lillian Bridwell Bowles, 1995. KB Yancey, CCC (Dec. 04), 298. Have students write for real audiences and send that writing to the real person. H Mancina. EJ (Jul. 05), 31-35.
Writing..... Basic..... What is one goal in working with basic writers? “Overcoming any students’, but particularly basic writing students’, fears and doubts regarding themselves as writers is a huge victory. A. Reichert. TETYC (Dec. 04), 171.
Writing..... Beginning..... What is the most effective way to begin stories? “The most common mistake we writers make, especially in first drafts, is to back into the tale and wait too many pages to start the real story.” S Dimeo. Wrt (Apr. 05), 31. “Start with a bang, not a whimper. That play on TS Eliot’s famous line from ‘The Hollow Men’ offers fiction writers good advice for two major reasons. A bang-up opening to the narrative not only hooks the reader but also helps focus the writer’s tone and intent on what follows. Noted writers have long affirmed just how crucial the opening is…. But the best way to master a good opening is to see how classic authors…have done it best.” S Dimeo. Wrt (Apr. 05), 31.
Writing..... Children’s literature..... How long does it take writers to write books? Roald Dahl: “I have written only two long children’s books myself, and for all I know they may be completely worthless…. Each of them took somewhere between eight and nine months to complete, with no time off for other work, and eight or nine months is a big slice out of the life of any writer….” Wrt (Apr. 05), 8.
Writing..... Courses..... What don’t standardized writing tests tell us about student writers? “Standardized tests like the SAT II and our own writing placement test, while they do provide some data about student writers, do not capture some of the qualities—like motivation, task persistence, and the metacognitive abilities that allow students to take courses strategically—that count most heavily toward success in the university. (That is why high school GPA remains the most accurate single predictor of success in college.)” S McLeod, H Horn & RH Haswell. CCC (June 05), 556-580.
Writing..... Courses..... What are the advantages of short courses in writing? “Authors found that the short, 6-week writing course helped students with poor standardized test scores succeed in learning to write because of “immersion.” “We now know that our accelerated courses do not shortchange but actually support student learning: we can now look for ways to offer such ‘immersion’ experiences in other venues….” S McLeod, H Horn & RH Haswell. CCC (June 05), 556-580.
Writing..... Creative..... How teach students to construct a story? Using 12 shots, students create a photo story with accompanying text on index cards. R Wilder. CN+ (Aug. 05), 14-15.
EngEd = English Education. CN+ = Classroom Notes Plus. CCC = College Composition and Communication. Wrt = The Writer. TETYC = Teaching English in the Two-Year College. EJ = English Journal.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
English Updates. April 26, 2007. Archive.
Archive
Literature….. Response….. What was the influence of Louise Rosenblatt on teaching literature? “At a time when New Criticism was the major theory in the field, Rosenblatt presented a strong albeit minority voice calling for the legitimacy of personal response to the reading of literature.” Roen, D and Karolides, N. CE (July 05), 565.
Literature….. Response….. How teach students to recognize the theme? Students list 12 stories that have influenced them and tell why. Students list 12 stories, write theme and pick one quotation from the story that relates to that theme. JD Wilson, Jr. CN+ (Aug. 05), 408.
Literature….. Selection….. What are some reasons for selecting literature to teach? “I select literature that connects to what they are learning in other classes.” J Koszoru. EJ (Jul. 05), 27.
Literature….. Shakespeare….. How help students to “translate” Shakespeare? “I asked them then to move their chairs into their groups and to spend the next hour of class writing out formal, polished translations of the soliloquy. KL Kleypas. TETYC (Dec. 04), 176.
Literature and writing….. Response….. What are some creative activities for responding to literature? Students respond to a book by using 10 different types of writing, “Multigenre.” For example: letter; essay; report; advertisement; advice column; autobiography of a character; biography of a character; book review; dictionary; how to; interview; lesson plan; memo; obituary; play; talk show transcript; TV newscast. J Gillespie. (JAAL (May 05), 678-684.
Reading….. Books….. Are Americans readers? Garrison Keillor: “Most books that are sold in America are not read, and we know this.” Wrt (Apr. 05), 8.
Reading….. Effects….. What can police officers gain from reading books? “Police officers in Nezahualcoyotl, a working class suburb of Mexico City, have been ordered by the mayor to read one book a month or lose their chance of promotion. Mayor Luis Sanchez tells the London Guardian that “reading will improve their vocabulary and their writing skills, help them express themselves, order their ideas and communicate with the public. Reading will make them better police officers and better people.’ ” Wrt (Jul 05), 8.
Reading….. Comprehension….. How can comprehension questions destroy the joy of reading? “Kim’s students reported being in tears over their inability to correctly answer the detailed questions on the books, even when they had read and enjoyed the selection.” WC Kasten & LG Wilfong. JAAL (May 05), 656.
Reading….. Internet….. Do the strategies of reading print text transfer to reading on the Internet? “Do students need to be taught to apply [to the Internet] the same strategies as in print environment? Does the online environment require a set of new strategies for comprehension? A Kymes. JAAL (Mar. 05), 492-500.
Reading….. Modeling….. What is one method for improving reading instruction? Demonstrates what a successful reader does. Wenk, M. EJ (Jul. 05), 42-48.
Reading….. Prior Knowledge/Internet….. What is the role of prior knowledge in successful reading? “In the online environment, it is equally important that the reader or searcher consciously activate her or his prior knowledge.” A Kymes. JAAL (Mar. 05), 494.
Reading….. Skim/Internet….. What are some reading skills that are needed to read Internet text successfully? “With printed text, readers may skim or scan to determine length, organizational format, and key passages that might relate to the purpose of the reading activity…. Due to the volume of text on line, it is necessary for students to become proficient at skimming and scanning for information.” A Kymes. JAAL (Mar. 05), 494.
Reading….. Think-aloud….. What are some examples of modeling reading skills and strategies? “The think-aloud is a technique by which the individual voices her or his thoughts during the performance of a task…. …the think-aloud has been used to provide information about user cognition and processing during task performance or problem solving.” A Kymes. JAAL (Mar. 05), 493. “Instruction in the think-aloud strategy must be modeled.” A
Reading….. Vocab/Internet….. What advantage does the Internet have in increasing understanding of words? “In a traditional print environment, the discovery of new word meanings might be through the use of contextual clues, morphological awareness, or the use of external reference materials. Online, the reader might use hypertext links to access a dictionary or alternate pages with detailed information, diagrams or other images that explain and elaborate definitions and related concepts.” A Kymes. JAAL (Mar. 05), 495.
JAAL = Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy. EJ = English Journal. Wrt = The Writer. CE = College English. CN+ = Classroom Notes Plus. TETYC = Teaching English in the Two-Year College.
Literature….. Response….. What was the influence of Louise Rosenblatt on teaching literature? “At a time when New Criticism was the major theory in the field, Rosenblatt presented a strong albeit minority voice calling for the legitimacy of personal response to the reading of literature.” Roen, D and Karolides, N. CE (July 05), 565.
Literature….. Response….. How teach students to recognize the theme? Students list 12 stories that have influenced them and tell why. Students list 12 stories, write theme and pick one quotation from the story that relates to that theme. JD Wilson, Jr. CN+ (Aug. 05), 408.
Literature….. Selection….. What are some reasons for selecting literature to teach? “I select literature that connects to what they are learning in other classes.” J Koszoru. EJ (Jul. 05), 27.
Literature….. Shakespeare….. How help students to “translate” Shakespeare? “I asked them then to move their chairs into their groups and to spend the next hour of class writing out formal, polished translations of the soliloquy. KL Kleypas. TETYC (Dec. 04), 176.
Literature and writing….. Response….. What are some creative activities for responding to literature? Students respond to a book by using 10 different types of writing, “Multigenre.” For example: letter; essay; report; advertisement; advice column; autobiography of a character; biography of a character; book review; dictionary; how to; interview; lesson plan; memo; obituary; play; talk show transcript; TV newscast. J Gillespie. (JAAL (May 05), 678-684.
Reading….. Books….. Are Americans readers? Garrison Keillor: “Most books that are sold in America are not read, and we know this.” Wrt (Apr. 05), 8.
Reading….. Effects….. What can police officers gain from reading books? “Police officers in Nezahualcoyotl, a working class suburb of Mexico City, have been ordered by the mayor to read one book a month or lose their chance of promotion. Mayor Luis Sanchez tells the London Guardian that “reading will improve their vocabulary and their writing skills, help them express themselves, order their ideas and communicate with the public. Reading will make them better police officers and better people.’ ” Wrt (Jul 05), 8.
Reading….. Comprehension….. How can comprehension questions destroy the joy of reading? “Kim’s students reported being in tears over their inability to correctly answer the detailed questions on the books, even when they had read and enjoyed the selection.” WC Kasten & LG Wilfong. JAAL (May 05), 656.
Reading….. Internet….. Do the strategies of reading print text transfer to reading on the Internet? “Do students need to be taught to apply [to the Internet] the same strategies as in print environment? Does the online environment require a set of new strategies for comprehension? A Kymes. JAAL (Mar. 05), 492-500.
Reading….. Modeling….. What is one method for improving reading instruction? Demonstrates what a successful reader does. Wenk, M. EJ (Jul. 05), 42-48.
Reading….. Prior Knowledge/Internet….. What is the role of prior knowledge in successful reading? “In the online environment, it is equally important that the reader or searcher consciously activate her or his prior knowledge.” A Kymes. JAAL (Mar. 05), 494.
Reading….. Skim/Internet….. What are some reading skills that are needed to read Internet text successfully? “With printed text, readers may skim or scan to determine length, organizational format, and key passages that might relate to the purpose of the reading activity…. Due to the volume of text on line, it is necessary for students to become proficient at skimming and scanning for information.” A Kymes. JAAL (Mar. 05), 494.
Reading….. Think-aloud….. What are some examples of modeling reading skills and strategies? “The think-aloud is a technique by which the individual voices her or his thoughts during the performance of a task…. …the think-aloud has been used to provide information about user cognition and processing during task performance or problem solving.” A Kymes. JAAL (Mar. 05), 493. “Instruction in the think-aloud strategy must be modeled.” A
Reading….. Vocab/Internet….. What advantage does the Internet have in increasing understanding of words? “In a traditional print environment, the discovery of new word meanings might be through the use of contextual clues, morphological awareness, or the use of external reference materials. Online, the reader might use hypertext links to access a dictionary or alternate pages with detailed information, diagrams or other images that explain and elaborate definitions and related concepts.” A Kymes. JAAL (Mar. 05), 495.
JAAL = Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy. EJ = English Journal. Wrt = The Writer. CE = College English. CN+ = Classroom Notes Plus. TETYC = Teaching English in the Two-Year College.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
English Updates. April 25, 2007. Archive.
Archive
Curriculum….. Terminology….. How does terminology get in the way of teaching and learning? Author “demystifies’ math by changing formal terminology in math to terms that more clearly relate to the concept: ‘For example, why use ‘percentages’ when ‘hundredths’ would do?” Which is more important, the term or the concept? [Consider doing the same in English grammar. Why not ‘—ing verb’ for ‘gerund,’ etc.] Demathtifying: Demystifying Mathematics by L Samson. Reviewed by JW Lott. MathTchr (Feb. 05), 446.
Curriculum….. Tracking….. What is the problem with “tracking” students? Tracked students achieve/behave according to the level of their track. We need to see them as individuals. We need to know and encourage their aspirations. R VanDeWaghe. EJ 94:6 (Jul. 05), 85-86.
Curriculum….. Tracking….. How should teachers deal with “untracked” classes? Challenges the belief that untracked classes should engage in multi-ability small-group work. Teacher used whole-group instruction with much teacher attention to individual’s needs. Freedman, et al. RTE (Aug. 05), 62-126.
Curriculum….. Tracking….. How should teachers look at the supposed homogeneity of their classes? “We have concluded that if we want an educational system in which increased numbers succeed, we will have to stop striving for homogeneity in our classrooms. Rather, we will need to assume heterogeneity, regardless of whether or not classes are tracked. If we work from an assumption of heterogeneity, we would never think we could teach the whole class, and we would not believe tracking would make teacher’s jobs easier.” Freedman, et al. RTE (Aug. 05), 121.
Curriculum….. Visual….. What should be the role of the visual in English classes? “For more than a decade now, English studies has been increasingly engaged by questions surrounding visual communication—its functions, its limits, its place in our classrooms, in our scholarship, and in our daily lives.” George, D. and Shools, D. CE (July 05), 587.
Language….. Grammar….. What are the differences between “natural” grammar and “taste-based” grammar? “It is important to introduce students to the distinctions between natural grammar and taste-based grammar early in efforts to teach against linguicism” [prejudice against people because of the way they speak]. LA Zuidema. JAAL (May 05), 689.
Literature….. Censorship….. Why should Huck Finn NOT be required reading? “We think that Huck Finn is an important work of art that should be available in every library in the world, but we don’t think that it should be required reading in any predominantly white high school where African American students are in a small minority.” M Franck and N Niilampti. EJ (Jul. 05), 20.
Literature….. Children’s….. Why are Hans Christian Andersen’s tales different from other tellers of fairy tales? “This year marks the bicentenary of the birth of Hans Christian Andersen—who launched a new form of story telling by actually creating new tales for children, rather than simply recording or retelling existing oral traditions.” Wrt (Mar. 05), 10.
Literature….. Culture….. What are the effects of reading multi-cultural literature? “When I began to read about other cultures, I felt doors opening on a world that was far greater than I had realized.” L Yep. EJ (Jan. 05), 54.
Literature….. Culture….. Why use multi-cultural literature? We want students to see themselves in what they read; we want them to understand other, unfamiliar cultures; we want them to learn what we share as human; we want them to learn to feel empathy, not dislike, for people who are different from us…. We want them to learn “to appreciate not fear differences.” CZ Zitlow. EJ (Jan. 05), 93.
Literature….. Culture….. What hidden messages do classic fairy tales convey? Classic fairy tales convey the message that physical beauty is to be prized. “Not only is beauty associated with goodness in these tales, but evil is associated with ugliness.” Dr. Lori Baker-Sperry. Wrt (Apr. 05), 12.
Literature….. Culture….. What are some problems with using multi-cultural literature? Carol D. Lee (1993): “One cannot adequately read the literature of a people without knowing something of the culture and the historical circumstances of that people.” JAAL (May 05), 720. [Makes point that just adding multicultural books to the class list is not enough. Teacher has to prepare by building up background information on the culture.]
Literature….. Interpretation….. What do we mean by teaching students to ”interpret”? “One of my favorite teaching phrases is, ‘Great literature lends itself to more than one interpretation,’ a line I usually add to, ‘If the text supports it, it’s valid.’ ”B Bennett. EJ (Jul. 05), 63
Literature..... Kennings ..... What are some creative activities in response to Beowulf? Students create kennings after reading Beowulf—alternate names for people. Example for Grendel: “misbegotten son of a foul mother” and “guardian of crime.” Also ‘swan road” for sea lane and “God’s beacon of brightness” for the sun. R Stevens. CN+ (Jan. 05), 14-15.
CN+ = Classroom Notes Plus. EJ = English Journal. JAAL = Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy. Wrt = The Writer. CE = College English. RTE = Research in the Teaching of English.
Curriculum….. Terminology….. How does terminology get in the way of teaching and learning? Author “demystifies’ math by changing formal terminology in math to terms that more clearly relate to the concept: ‘For example, why use ‘percentages’ when ‘hundredths’ would do?” Which is more important, the term or the concept? [Consider doing the same in English grammar. Why not ‘—ing verb’ for ‘gerund,’ etc.] Demathtifying: Demystifying Mathematics by L Samson. Reviewed by JW Lott. MathTchr (Feb. 05), 446.
Curriculum….. Tracking….. What is the problem with “tracking” students? Tracked students achieve/behave according to the level of their track. We need to see them as individuals. We need to know and encourage their aspirations. R VanDeWaghe. EJ 94:6 (Jul. 05), 85-86.
Curriculum….. Tracking….. How should teachers deal with “untracked” classes? Challenges the belief that untracked classes should engage in multi-ability small-group work. Teacher used whole-group instruction with much teacher attention to individual’s needs. Freedman, et al. RTE (Aug. 05), 62-126.
Curriculum….. Tracking….. How should teachers look at the supposed homogeneity of their classes? “We have concluded that if we want an educational system in which increased numbers succeed, we will have to stop striving for homogeneity in our classrooms. Rather, we will need to assume heterogeneity, regardless of whether or not classes are tracked. If we work from an assumption of heterogeneity, we would never think we could teach the whole class, and we would not believe tracking would make teacher’s jobs easier.” Freedman, et al. RTE (Aug. 05), 121.
Curriculum….. Visual….. What should be the role of the visual in English classes? “For more than a decade now, English studies has been increasingly engaged by questions surrounding visual communication—its functions, its limits, its place in our classrooms, in our scholarship, and in our daily lives.” George, D. and Shools, D. CE (July 05), 587.
Language….. Grammar….. What are the differences between “natural” grammar and “taste-based” grammar? “It is important to introduce students to the distinctions between natural grammar and taste-based grammar early in efforts to teach against linguicism” [prejudice against people because of the way they speak]. LA Zuidema. JAAL (May 05), 689.
Literature….. Censorship….. Why should Huck Finn NOT be required reading? “We think that Huck Finn is an important work of art that should be available in every library in the world, but we don’t think that it should be required reading in any predominantly white high school where African American students are in a small minority.” M Franck and N Niilampti. EJ (Jul. 05), 20.
Literature….. Children’s….. Why are Hans Christian Andersen’s tales different from other tellers of fairy tales? “This year marks the bicentenary of the birth of Hans Christian Andersen—who launched a new form of story telling by actually creating new tales for children, rather than simply recording or retelling existing oral traditions.” Wrt (Mar. 05), 10.
Literature….. Culture….. What are the effects of reading multi-cultural literature? “When I began to read about other cultures, I felt doors opening on a world that was far greater than I had realized.” L Yep. EJ (Jan. 05), 54.
Literature….. Culture….. Why use multi-cultural literature? We want students to see themselves in what they read; we want them to understand other, unfamiliar cultures; we want them to learn what we share as human; we want them to learn to feel empathy, not dislike, for people who are different from us…. We want them to learn “to appreciate not fear differences.” CZ Zitlow. EJ (Jan. 05), 93.
Literature….. Culture….. What hidden messages do classic fairy tales convey? Classic fairy tales convey the message that physical beauty is to be prized. “Not only is beauty associated with goodness in these tales, but evil is associated with ugliness.” Dr. Lori Baker-Sperry. Wrt (Apr. 05), 12.
Literature….. Culture….. What are some problems with using multi-cultural literature? Carol D. Lee (1993): “One cannot adequately read the literature of a people without knowing something of the culture and the historical circumstances of that people.” JAAL (May 05), 720. [Makes point that just adding multicultural books to the class list is not enough. Teacher has to prepare by building up background information on the culture.]
Literature….. Interpretation….. What do we mean by teaching students to ”interpret”? “One of my favorite teaching phrases is, ‘Great literature lends itself to more than one interpretation,’ a line I usually add to, ‘If the text supports it, it’s valid.’ ”B Bennett. EJ (Jul. 05), 63
Literature..... Kennings ..... What are some creative activities in response to Beowulf? Students create kennings after reading Beowulf—alternate names for people. Example for Grendel: “misbegotten son of a foul mother” and “guardian of crime.” Also ‘swan road” for sea lane and “God’s beacon of brightness” for the sun. R Stevens. CN+ (Jan. 05), 14-15.
CN+ = Classroom Notes Plus. EJ = English Journal. JAAL = Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy. Wrt = The Writer. CE = College English. RTE = Research in the Teaching of English.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
English Updates. April 18, 2007. Archives.
Archives
Curriculum….. Research….. How begin the process of action research? Begin action research with a question. Read background information. Then plan the study. Review of Taking Action with Teacher Research. E Meyers & F Rust (Eds.), 2003. Book consists of reports of action research. JAAL (May 05), 717-718.
Curriculum….. Schools….. What do most Americans want in their schools? “Americans seem to want schools to be more or less like the schools they attended." Yagelski. EngEd (July 05), 267.
Curriculum….. Teaching….. What is the definition of “praxis”? Praxis: intersections between theory and practice. H. Roskelly. EngEd (July 05), 288.
Curriculum….. Teaching….. How should teachers reflect on their teaching? Encourage teachers to journal about, take notes on and ask themselves questions about their own learning experiences.” G Brent. EngEd (July 05), 300.
Curriculum….. Teaching….. How do students learn best? “Students learn best when they find their own experience useful to their learning.” H Roskelly. EngEd (July 05), p. 289. “Students learn best when they feel confident and when they find a reason to learn.” H Roskelly. EngEd (July 05), p. 289. Students learn best when they discover the relationship between personal experience and public knowledge.” H Roskelly. EngEd (July 05), p. 289.
Curriculum….. Teaching….. What should teachers’ attitude be toward their students? “We are not gatekeepers; we are gate openers” Yagelski. EngEd (July 05), 268.
Curriculum….. Teaching….. How help students summarize the class at the end of each period? Creates “exit slips.” With 10 minutes before the end of class asks students to respond to a prompt related to the objective for the class period. Students turn their “exit slips” in to the teacher as they exit the classroom. B Wagner. CN+ (Aug. 05), 1-3.
Curriculum….. Teaching….. How should teachers work with the published programs they are required to use in their classrooms? Modify them according to their strengths and shortcomings to meet the needs of your particular group of students. Dudley-Marling, C. RTE (Aug. 05), 129.
Curriculum….. Teaching….. How are teachers responding to the emphasis on high-stakes testing? What we received were articles about the strategies teachers are using to resist the priorities of high-stakes testing and the loss of their professional autonomy.” Editors. LA (Jan. 05), 167
Curriculum….. Teaching….. What are the roles that teachers must play with their students? “Instead of being a coach, a trusted elder, who would guide my young students into the world of reading, I became their examiner and their judge.” K Bomer. LA (Jan. 05), 171. [The fact is, teachers need to be both “coach” and judge. Can’t get around it. Ray.]
Cur Teaching In what way should students never be identified? “A child should never be known by a number or a test score….” K Bomer. LA (Jan. 05), 168-176.
Curriculum….. Teaching….. How would you characterize a world without art, music and literature? When the teacher raised the issue of dropping art and music from the curriculum because of budgetary reasons, one student said that would be OK, he could enjoy them on his own, he didn’t need classes in art and music. Students debated with him. The question came up, “What would the world be like without art, music and literature?” The teacher proceeded to take down all of the posters in the room, dropping them on the floor, leaving the classroom bare. The students recognized his point: “…you are showing us what the world would be like without music, art and writing. It would be a hospital.” The author is dramatizing the art of the teachable moment.” KF Carter. EJ (Jan. 05), 15-16.
Curriculum….. Teaching….. What is teaching all about? “It’s about loving to teach and loving to learn.” L J Rodriguez. EJ (Jan. 05), 45.
Curriculum….. Teaching….. What are the effects of the inquiry approach to teaching? Article on “realistic math” as taught in Holland. Based on selected problems that deal with real situations. But “teaching” means turning the students loose to figure out how to solve the problems themselves. RW Case. MathTchr (Feb. 05), 374-382.
MathTchr = Mathematics Teacher. EJ = English Journal. LA = Language Arts. RTE = Research in the Teaching of English. CN+ = Classroom Notes Plus. EngEd = English Education. JAAL = Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy.
Curriculum….. Research….. How begin the process of action research? Begin action research with a question. Read background information. Then plan the study. Review of Taking Action with Teacher Research. E Meyers & F Rust (Eds.), 2003. Book consists of reports of action research. JAAL (May 05), 717-718.
Curriculum….. Schools….. What do most Americans want in their schools? “Americans seem to want schools to be more or less like the schools they attended." Yagelski. EngEd (July 05), 267.
Curriculum….. Teaching….. What is the definition of “praxis”? Praxis: intersections between theory and practice. H. Roskelly. EngEd (July 05), 288.
Curriculum….. Teaching….. How should teachers reflect on their teaching? Encourage teachers to journal about, take notes on and ask themselves questions about their own learning experiences.” G Brent. EngEd (July 05), 300.
Curriculum….. Teaching….. How do students learn best? “Students learn best when they find their own experience useful to their learning.” H Roskelly. EngEd (July 05), p. 289. “Students learn best when they feel confident and when they find a reason to learn.” H Roskelly. EngEd (July 05), p. 289. Students learn best when they discover the relationship between personal experience and public knowledge.” H Roskelly. EngEd (July 05), p. 289.
Curriculum….. Teaching….. What should teachers’ attitude be toward their students? “We are not gatekeepers; we are gate openers” Yagelski. EngEd (July 05), 268.
Curriculum….. Teaching….. How help students summarize the class at the end of each period? Creates “exit slips.” With 10 minutes before the end of class asks students to respond to a prompt related to the objective for the class period. Students turn their “exit slips” in to the teacher as they exit the classroom. B Wagner. CN+ (Aug. 05), 1-3.
Curriculum….. Teaching….. How should teachers work with the published programs they are required to use in their classrooms? Modify them according to their strengths and shortcomings to meet the needs of your particular group of students. Dudley-Marling, C. RTE (Aug. 05), 129.
Curriculum….. Teaching….. How are teachers responding to the emphasis on high-stakes testing? What we received were articles about the strategies teachers are using to resist the priorities of high-stakes testing and the loss of their professional autonomy.” Editors. LA (Jan. 05), 167
Curriculum….. Teaching….. What are the roles that teachers must play with their students? “Instead of being a coach, a trusted elder, who would guide my young students into the world of reading, I became their examiner and their judge.” K Bomer. LA (Jan. 05), 171. [The fact is, teachers need to be both “coach” and judge. Can’t get around it. Ray.]
Cur Teaching In what way should students never be identified? “A child should never be known by a number or a test score….” K Bomer. LA (Jan. 05), 168-176.
Curriculum….. Teaching….. How would you characterize a world without art, music and literature? When the teacher raised the issue of dropping art and music from the curriculum because of budgetary reasons, one student said that would be OK, he could enjoy them on his own, he didn’t need classes in art and music. Students debated with him. The question came up, “What would the world be like without art, music and literature?” The teacher proceeded to take down all of the posters in the room, dropping them on the floor, leaving the classroom bare. The students recognized his point: “…you are showing us what the world would be like without music, art and writing. It would be a hospital.” The author is dramatizing the art of the teachable moment.” KF Carter. EJ (Jan. 05), 15-16.
Curriculum….. Teaching….. What is teaching all about? “It’s about loving to teach and loving to learn.” L J Rodriguez. EJ (Jan. 05), 45.
Curriculum….. Teaching….. What are the effects of the inquiry approach to teaching? Article on “realistic math” as taught in Holland. Based on selected problems that deal with real situations. But “teaching” means turning the students loose to figure out how to solve the problems themselves. RW Case. MathTchr (Feb. 05), 374-382.
MathTchr = Mathematics Teacher. EJ = English Journal. LA = Language Arts. RTE = Research in the Teaching of English. CN+ = Classroom Notes Plus. EngEd = English Education. JAAL = Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy.
Monday, April 16, 2007
English Updates. April 16, 2007. WSJ, RRQ, CN+ and RT 07
Curriculum….. Business….. Fighting burnout in business. Companies hold meeting-free days. Do something everyday that is pleasurable and unrelated to business. Yoga. Volunteer work like coaching wrestling. Wall Street Journal. (Apr. 16, 07), Internet.
Literature….. Poetry….. Students select lines of poetry because they are memorable, use them as models for poetry writing. I Wendt. Classroom Notes Plus (Apr. 07), 1-12.
Writing….. Poetry….. Write “I remember….” poems. JS O’Connnor. Classroom Notes Plus (Apr. 07), 12-14.
Reading….. Practices….. Suggests that adult teachers of low-level adult readers study and use the actual practices of these readers rather than ignoring them or even changing them. Emphasis on their actual practices can lead to improved reading. D. Mallard, et al. Reading Research Quarterly (Apr/May/Jun 07), 188-213.
Reading….. Internet….. Does reading on the Internet and digitally as opposed to reading printed text on paper require different strategies? This study suggests it does. Used skilled sixth-grade readers. Requires a greater need for inference, for example. Suggests a need to adjust reading to different formats on the Internet. [Ray: However, readers need to adjust to different formats in printed text as well.] J Coiro and E Dobler. Reading Research Quarterly (Apr/May/Jun 07) 214-257.
Reading….. Kenya….. Early experiences in reading in Kenya led to negative attitudes toward reading because it was forced and did not deal with Kenyan heritage and choice in reading materials. Need to emphasize more than one method for teaching reading—emphasis on the direct-instruction method, for example. K Commeyras and HN Inyga. Reading Research Quarterly. (Apr/May/Jun 07), 258-281.
Reading….. Phonics….. Student when asked to decode the first letter of the word “made,” did so, but then gave the first letter as “d.” He didn’t understand the word “first” in “first letter.” Don’t assume students of ESL (English as a second language) understand what are basic assumptions to you, the teacher. M Aukerman. Reading Teacher (Apr. 07), 626-634.
Reading….. Defined….. Is “reading” defined the way most legislators define it? “…making of meaning from print with an emphasis on phonemic awareness, vocabulary, phonics, fluency and comprehension”? TL Williams. Reading Teacher (Apr. 07), 636-652.
Reading….. Comprehension….. Meaning is developed by activities, explanations and reflections. In other words, meaning does not stop with decoding print. CH Ikpeze and FB Boyd. Reading Teacher (Apr. 07), 644-654.
Reading….. Issue….. Emphasis on phonics today leads to students’ becoming word callers rather than comprehenders. Antidotes to word calling are thoughtful questions, not the ready—made, easily identifiable rote questions and another is to allow children to talk about what they have read. DD Massey. Reading Teacher (Apr. 07), 657-666.
Writing/Reading….. Summaries….. Teach students to write summaries by creating magazine covers with graphics and including summaries. L Assap and R Garza. Reading Teacher (Apr. 07), 678-680.
Reading….. Comprehension….. “Can you picture it?” Key to visualization. K Onofrey and JL Theurea. Reading Teacher. (Apr. 07), 681-684.
Reading….. Tutoring….. Planning sessions: Need assessment (Why are paraprofessionals needed?); strategy, rationale, brief research and application. Paraprofessionals should discuss what happened after using the strategies with children. Examples of strategies: echo reading, choral reading, preview, repeated readings, phrased readings, sorts of various kinds; summarizing, asking questions, inferring, guided discussion. C Cobb. Reading Teacher (Apr. 07), 186-188. [Examples of these strategies can be found on the Internet.]
Curriculum….. Coaching….. One model of coaching teachers is problem-solving based on the students’ problems. J Hasbrouck and CA Denton. Reading Teacher. (Apr. 07), 690-693.
Curriculum….. Parents….. Prepare parents to use specific activities with their children. Introduce, model and briefly practice. Then use at home. Discuss what happened. JR Paratore and G Jordan. Reading Teacher (Apr. 0078), 694-696.
Literature….. Poetry….. Students select lines of poetry because they are memorable, use them as models for poetry writing. I Wendt. Classroom Notes Plus (Apr. 07), 1-12.
Writing….. Poetry….. Write “I remember….” poems. JS O’Connnor. Classroom Notes Plus (Apr. 07), 12-14.
Reading….. Practices….. Suggests that adult teachers of low-level adult readers study and use the actual practices of these readers rather than ignoring them or even changing them. Emphasis on their actual practices can lead to improved reading. D. Mallard, et al. Reading Research Quarterly (Apr/May/Jun 07), 188-213.
Reading….. Internet….. Does reading on the Internet and digitally as opposed to reading printed text on paper require different strategies? This study suggests it does. Used skilled sixth-grade readers. Requires a greater need for inference, for example. Suggests a need to adjust reading to different formats on the Internet. [Ray: However, readers need to adjust to different formats in printed text as well.] J Coiro and E Dobler. Reading Research Quarterly (Apr/May/Jun 07) 214-257.
Reading….. Kenya….. Early experiences in reading in Kenya led to negative attitudes toward reading because it was forced and did not deal with Kenyan heritage and choice in reading materials. Need to emphasize more than one method for teaching reading—emphasis on the direct-instruction method, for example. K Commeyras and HN Inyga. Reading Research Quarterly. (Apr/May/Jun 07), 258-281.
Reading….. Phonics….. Student when asked to decode the first letter of the word “made,” did so, but then gave the first letter as “d.” He didn’t understand the word “first” in “first letter.” Don’t assume students of ESL (English as a second language) understand what are basic assumptions to you, the teacher. M Aukerman. Reading Teacher (Apr. 07), 626-634.
Reading….. Defined….. Is “reading” defined the way most legislators define it? “…making of meaning from print with an emphasis on phonemic awareness, vocabulary, phonics, fluency and comprehension”? TL Williams. Reading Teacher (Apr. 07), 636-652.
Reading….. Comprehension….. Meaning is developed by activities, explanations and reflections. In other words, meaning does not stop with decoding print. CH Ikpeze and FB Boyd. Reading Teacher (Apr. 07), 644-654.
Reading….. Issue….. Emphasis on phonics today leads to students’ becoming word callers rather than comprehenders. Antidotes to word calling are thoughtful questions, not the ready—made, easily identifiable rote questions and another is to allow children to talk about what they have read. DD Massey. Reading Teacher (Apr. 07), 657-666.
Writing/Reading….. Summaries….. Teach students to write summaries by creating magazine covers with graphics and including summaries. L Assap and R Garza. Reading Teacher (Apr. 07), 678-680.
Reading….. Comprehension….. “Can you picture it?” Key to visualization. K Onofrey and JL Theurea. Reading Teacher. (Apr. 07), 681-684.
Reading….. Tutoring….. Planning sessions: Need assessment (Why are paraprofessionals needed?); strategy, rationale, brief research and application. Paraprofessionals should discuss what happened after using the strategies with children. Examples of strategies: echo reading, choral reading, preview, repeated readings, phrased readings, sorts of various kinds; summarizing, asking questions, inferring, guided discussion. C Cobb. Reading Teacher (Apr. 07), 186-188. [Examples of these strategies can be found on the Internet.]
Curriculum….. Coaching….. One model of coaching teachers is problem-solving based on the students’ problems. J Hasbrouck and CA Denton. Reading Teacher. (Apr. 07), 690-693.
Curriculum….. Parents….. Prepare parents to use specific activities with their children. Introduce, model and briefly practice. Then use at home. Discuss what happened. JR Paratore and G Jordan. Reading Teacher (Apr. 0078), 694-696.
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