Ginger - Thanks for the incredible source - What a collection of powerful
books! What child wouldn't
be proud of his culture with these collections. JGasser
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: "Andy & Shelly Kennedy" <pristine@aclass.com>
Subject: [mosaic] Eve bunting
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2003 14:30:57 -0500

Hi all,

I am trying to gather certain author collections/strategy work books
this summer to have as many paperback tradebooks in stash as possible.
I was just searching the list of Eve Bunting books - I didn't realize
how many books she had out. WHOA~ Anyway, would you all e--mail back
the Bunting books you use? Thank you, Shelly
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2003 17:37:19 -0700
From: "Debbie Rondeau" <drondeau@de.dvusd.org>
Subject: Re: [mosaic] Eve bunting

HI Shelly,
I've used nearly all her picture books. Depends upon the GL and your
purpose. I have copies of her chapter books (on my independent reading
shelves when I taught Multi age 3/4). Other prolific authors: Mem Fox,
Jane Yolen, Jan Brett, Carol Carrick, Eric Carle, Cynthia Rylant...I'll
check for others.
Take care,
Debbie
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: LandRT12@aol.com
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2003 22:42:08 EDT
Subject: Re: [mosaic] Eve bunting

Hi,
Anything by Eve Bunting will get your students thinking - deeply. Here
are
a few with which I'm familiar:

Rudi's Pond
The Memory String
Dandelions (I think it's hers)
Going Home
Smoky Night

Patricia McClaughlin's All the Places to Love is great also.

I found that my kids do better with the strategies when they read lots of
quality picture books. The usual "chapter books" for third grade are often
devoid of anything
worth discussing, except of course for Robert Clyde Bulla. (Shoeshine Girl,
Eagle Feather, Chalkbox Kid, White Bird) I plan to spend many weeks with
picture books inext Fall. I will model with lots of "think alouds" and
then have
the kids practice with good quality books. Only after many weeks will we
will move to using the strategies with novels.

Happy Summer !

Laurie Tandy
Petaluma, CA
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: Msswtpeach@aol.com
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2003 23:02:50 EDT
Subject: [mosaic] introduction

Hi. My name is Pam and I am in the middle of reading MOT, Strategies That
Work, and Guiding Readers and Writers, Grades 3-6. My grade assignment for
next
year will be 5th after 7 years in 2nd. I have used a smattering of these
strategies, but really want to get a handle on them before I enter a new
grade
level. Thanks to all who post.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: Abcde1142@aol.com
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2003 07:49:34 EDT
Subject: Re: [mosaic] introduction

Hi Pam,

I am leaving 5th for 3rd so maybe we can help each other.

You will love using Guided Reading with the 5th graders. By the
time they reach 5th grade, most are tired of the read the story and answer
questions. One third of my class told me they hated reading until this
year. They
loved having control of their reading. They don't mind the reading I have
them do.

I would suggest following Fountas and Pinnell's first 20 days. That
gets them into the method and thought process. I also used Anthony
Fredericks' book to help me place the kids into skill level groups. Both
book titles
are similar - Guided Reading in grades 3-6.

I also used Bloom's Taxonomy to phrase the questions I would put to
the kids each time they read with me. The kids went from "I don't know." to
answering the questions or building on someone else's answer. They learned
I
would wait for everyone to give a different answer.

I had signs up in the rooms saying "Reading is Thinking". It took a
long time for the kids to get away from the idea of writing a summary to
telling what they were thinking as they were reading.

We had a "Moving on Ceremony" yesterday. Many of the parents came
up and thanked me for helping their child grow so much this year. The only
thing I did was the Guided Reading program. The kids did the rest.

The kids loved being able to select their own independent reading
book. I had a hard time keeping up with this part. I hadn't quite decided
what
I was going to do next year when I found out I was going to 3rd grade. I
found several good charts that would help on the Mosaic Assessment page,
that I
thought about using.

I would more than happy to help you next year. There are two books
I found about Guided Comprehension that are excellent. Right now I can't
remember the exact titles, but would be happy to get them to you.

You will love doing it. The best part is watching the kids grow!
Alexa
Abcde1142@aol.com
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2003 12:31:38 -0400
From: Dave & Deb Smith <d-smith@cybersol.com>
Subject: Re: [mosaic] Eve bunting

Ducky by Eve Bunting is wonderful for Before, During, AFter in the
questioning strategy
Deb
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: "Linda Tompkins" <lbtompkins@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: Re: [mosaic] introduction
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2003 13:10:29 -0400

Please tell about Anthony Fredericks' book.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2003 12:20:19 -0700 (PDT)
From: Pamela Friedman <pfried66@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [mosaic] Eve bunting

Fly Away Home is a great book by Eve Bunting
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: "Mary Kaleta" <mekaleta@hotmail.com>
Subject: [mosaic] Read alouds for MS students
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2003 14:55:08 -0500

I would like to build my collection of books or stories to read aloud to
middle school students. Any suggestions?

Mary
Gr.8
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2003 16:01:30 -0700
From: Lori Jackson <ljackson@gwtc.net>
Subject: Re: [mosaic] Read alouds for MS students

Almost any good book for primary or intermediate students can be used
at the middle school level either as a demonstration of writing craft or
to model comprehension skills.

Lori
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: Abcde1142@aol.com
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2003 17:15:58 EDT
Subject: Re: [mosaic] introduction

Anthony Fredericks book has strategies that can be used for Guided Reading.
Some strategies are used in conjunction with a variety of literature as an
example.
The best part for me anyway - He put in 100 word selections to be used for
fluency, then has comprehension questions following Bloom's Taxonomy. He
has
them for third, fourth, fifth, and sixth grade using different forms of
literature.
This past year with my fifth grade, I tested each student after we would
finish a book. That way I was able to rearrange my groups after each book.
My
kids couldn't tell who was in the "low" group or "high" group.
A friend of mine who was trained the same time as I, did the same thing with
her third graders. I plan on doing that myself now that I am going to be in
third grade.
Alexa
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: "Ginger/Rob" <elephant@foxvalley.net>
Subject: [mosaic] middle school read alouds
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2003 16:40:59 -0500

Mary I would read them the Ben Mikaelsen books. Touching Spirit Bear,
Petey, Sparrow Hawk Red, Countdown, Resure Josh McGuire, Red Midnight, and
Stranded.

I also like Walter Dean Myers books for older kids.
Ginger
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: "Joe & Karla McAdam" <jlmcadam3@ameritech.net>
Subject: Re: [mosaic] Read alouds for MS students
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2003 17:49:16 -0500

Mary,

Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen
Any from Among the Hidden Series
Check out the Rebecca Caudill Award lists
The Giver by Lois Lowry
J.R. Tolkien books, if you have a large population of fantasy fans
Caroline B. Cooney books
What about some Shakespeare...like MACBETH?=20

The possibilities are endless. My best advice is to poll your students
for genre interests. After the first month of observing and
conferencing with the students, you will have a pretty good feel for
what will work for THAT particular class. My choices are usually driven
by knowledge about my students. I hope this helps.

~Karla
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: Abcde1142@aol.com
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2003 20:53:13 EDT
Subject: Re: [mosaic] introduction

The title of the book is -

Guided Reading in Grades 3-6 by Anthony D. Fredericks

ISBN 0757854966

copyright date 2001

It is available from Rigby Press
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2003 18:07:45 -0700 (PDT)
From: Michelle Barton <maoliveri@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [mosaic] Read alouds for MS students

Mary-
I read two books to my 8th graders this year and the
kids just loved them both. They are both
light-hearted and do keep the kids entertained (as
well as yourself). The first is Absolutely Normal
Chaos, by Sharon Creech, and the second is Flipped, by
Wendelin Van Draanen. I always like to start the year
off with MS students using a humorous book, so that
they are hooked. Afterwards I use books with a more
serious tone. Good luck and enjoy your summer!
Michelle
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: "Ted and Lee Johnson" <tlmkjohnson@attbi.com>
Subject: Re: [mosaic] Eve bunting
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2003 22:59:51 -0700

I just used Train to Somewhere for synthesizing. Earlier in the year I
used Fly Away Home for inference.
Lee/6
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: Msswtpeach@aol.com
Date: Sat, 14 Jun 2003 00:06:56 EDT
Subject: Re: [mosaic] [PERIODIC mosaic DIGEST POSTING]

Alexa,
Thanks for the suggestions so far. My school has used America's Choice
Writer's Workshop (past two years) and this year implemented Reader's
Workshop.
They follow the Fountas and Pinnell structure except for Guided Writing
Groups,
Investigations, and Literature Circles. I am pretty comfortable with
Writer's
Workshop, but never felt I had a handle on Reader's Workshop. I will be
sure
to find the books you suggested for additional help.
This year our kids were grouped homogeneously, so I had 13 on-grade level
and
above-grade level kids to work with. (A teacher's dream class!...which will
never happen again, lol.) By the end of the year all of my kids were
reading
at or above the mid-fourth grade level. I really don't think I had that
much
to do with it, they were all so intrinsically (sp?) motivated, they just
took
off!!! Next year will be a totally different story...at least 22 with quite
a
range of ablitites...truely heterogenous grouping. It promises to be an
exciting year!!!
Thanks again. I look forward to hearing more from you (& everyone else,
too!).
Pam 2nd to 5th/GA
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: "btillman" <btillman@farmerstel.com>
Subject: Re: [mosaic] MOT and reading series
Date: Sat, 14 Jun 2003 21:03:30 -0400

It's funny you should mention Lea. My trainer for REA, Dr. Sharon
Walpole, is encouraging me to begin pursuing my doctorate at UA in
Tuscaloosa. She mentioned that I might want to study with Lea McGee.
I am thinking of starting in January. Can I take classes at the Gadsden
Center and transfer them into Tuscaloosa?
Thanks
Cece
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: "lois driggers" <loiso@dbtech.net>
Subject: Re: [mosaic] MOT and reading series
Date: Sun, 15 Jun 2003 17:34:20 -0700

I'm not sure about the transfer credits, you may have to check on this.
Lea will be going on sabbatical beginning in a month and will not be
here all next year. She will, however return next year. You may wish to
start your early coursework and then take classes with her the next
year.
Hopefully, we will be able to meet.

Lois
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: "Mary Jo Wentz" <wingspan@powerweb.net>
Subject: RE: [mosaic] Read alouds for MS students
Date: Sat, 14 Jun 2003 21:41:36 -0500

I'm going to go counter to the suggestions of other posters
by recommending short, non-fiction for eighth grade read-alouds.
We see so very many students who cannot independently read
non-fiction with any degree of comprehension. This would be a
perfect opportunity to model strategies for understanding non-fiction
texts because students will not be accountable for the material.
You could use picture books, excerpts from newspapers, single
chapters from books notable authors like Milton Metzer and Jim
Murphy (to name of few), or selections from Readers Digest.
You would be doing a great service to your students since 80%
of real-world reading is non-fiction.

MJ Wentz
MS reading teacher
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: "J Grand" <grandj@hotmail.com>
Subject: [mosaic] donate foreign coins?
Date: Sun, 15 Jun 2003 04:42:56 +0000

I have a lot of misc. foregin coins.

Does anyone know a way to donate them?

I'm unsure of their value.

txs,
grandj@hotmail.com
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: "btillman" <btillman@farmerstel.com>
Subject: Re: [mosaic] Read alouds for MS students
Date: Sun, 15 Jun 2003 08:15:01 -0400

> I'm going to go counter to the suggestions of other posters
> by recommending short, non-fiction for eighth grade read-alouds.

Mary Jo,
I think your suggestion is right on target. There is even some research
currently being done about read-alouds w/ nonfiction. I think Nell Duke is
the one doing this research. She did one study where read-alouds were 1/3
nonfiction, 1/3--- and 1/3--- (I can't recall which) but the need for kids
to be exposed to lots of nonfiction is so important!
Don't forget about high quality picture books, either! Books like those by
Cynthia Rylant, Patricia Polacco,
and other wonderful authors shouldn't be left out. If you are demonstrating
the need for comprehension strategies, you can't miss with these kinds of
texts!
Cece/LC/GA
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: "Barbara Punchak" <punchak@intnet.net>
Subject: RE: [mosaic] donate foreign coins?
Date: Sun, 15 Jun 2003 10:19:19 -0400

I'd go to a bank and ask their value. Each bank keeps a weekly chart of
foreign money exchange. At least I know they do for bills. Not sure about
coins, but I'm sure they can find out for you. What about online? Have you
looked there?
~Barbara
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: "Mark and Ronda Elam" <rjelam@mchsi.com>
Subject: RE: [mosaic] donate foreign coins?
Date: Sat, 14 Jun 2003 09:27:07 -0500

how bout high school/middle schools geography classes?????
looks like that they'd go tremendously well into units on those different
countries!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: "Barbara Punchak" <punchak@intnet.net>
Subject: RE: [mosaic] Read alouds for MS students
Date: Sun, 15 Jun 2003 10:45:34 -0400

When teaching 5th grade, I always tried to use picture books to teach
non-fiction. For example, when teaching about slavery, Harriet Tubman, and
the Underground Railroad, I used lots of picture books --i.e. The Barefoot,
Aunt Harriet's Underground Railroad in the Sky, The Quilt Story, and The
Secret to Freedom. I found that older students love to hear the stories,
and once you teach the strategies, they can use them as you read. In fact,
after showing them each quilt pattern and having them read the meanings,
they seemingly internalized them, and knew them better than I! As a
culmination, we made group quilts with the patterns students' colored, and
incorporated each student's "special patch," which was their own
interpretation of the 'double wedding ring' patch. Each student's patch was
very different, and it was amazing how insightful they were, taking
different points-of-view on its meaning.

Another example: Prior to exploring owl pellets, we created a K-W-L chart,
with me citing what they "knew" on a large chart. Then working in pairs, my
students completed the "W" part of the chart, and we shared these as a whole
group---each pair had their own chart to refer to. Next I gathered fiction
and non-fiction picture books from our media center about owls, with each
group reading them together, jotting down facts they learned. As we shared
this information whole group, students were amazed with how much information
they gleaned, and were better informed about different types of owls, and
their characteristics. The culmination lesson was investigating owl pellets.
Independent/discovery type learning is more meaningful and will be retained
longer than if I had them read about owls and simply asked them questions.

~Barbara *formerly 5th...gonna be 2nd* *smiles*
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Date: Sun, 15 Jun 2003 09:50:51 -0700
Subject: Re: [mosaic] donate foreign coins?
From: "Janet Holbrook" <jmholbrook@earthlink.net>

I teach first grade. When I teach my money unit, my class always loves
looking at foreign coins. If you don't want them, you might try donating
them to a primary class.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Date: Sun, 15 Jun 2003 11:08:09 -0700
From: "Debbie Rondeau" <drondeau@de.dvusd.org>
Subject: RE: [mosaic] Read alouds for MS students

I'd add Russell Freedman to that list.
Debbie Rondeau
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: "Mary Jo Wentz" <wingspan@powerweb.net>
Subject: RE: [mosaic] Read alouds for MS students
Date: Sun, 15 Jun 2003 13:21:13 -0500

I like the notion that each fiction book should be paired with a
non-fiction one. Fortunately, publishers have been quick to pick
up on this idea. I believe that next year Wisconsin's third grade
reading test will included both narrative and expository texts,
and students will have to complete a graphic organizer as well.
Perhaps someone else from Wisconsin knows more about this
than I.

MJ Wentz
middle school reading resource
Columbus, WI
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From: "Ginger/Rob" <elephant@foxvalley.net>
Subject: [mosaic] Frontline Teaching - Published By ReadingLady.com - June
16, 2003
Date: Mon, 16 Jun 2003 13:04:02 -0500

This is from Laura:

Subject: Frontline Teaching - Published By ReadingLady.com - June 16, 2003

June 14, 2003

Reading Lady Bookstore News:
• Newest Four Blocks titles are available and in stock.
• Harry Potter will be released this month. We are accepting preorders now.
• Fountas & Pinnel’s new book – Teaching Comprehension Grades K-2 is now
available.
• Lucy Calkins new writing resources will be available in July
Visit the bookstore anytime at – http://readinglady.net/
----
I have just completed my class on Reading Workshop with a very talented
group of teachers in my district. Below are some of my teaching points that
I used with the group.
Whenever I do staff development teachers always come back to the issue of
time. It is our greatest issue – how do we fit it all in. I simply believe
that “less is more” and we need to simplify our teaching. Focus less on
getting it all done and more on going deeper with our teaching. We need to
develop independent thinkers and learners and this takes TIME. Given our
current instructional day I have broken down our time allocation below -

Breakdown of Daily Instructional Time

•Reading/Writing Workshop & Word Study 165 minutes
•Lunch 60 minutes
•Prep 50 minutes
•Math Block 60 minutes
•Leaves 60 minutes daily for other curricula areas

Basic Structure for Reading Workshop

•Whole Group Minilesson 10 min
•Shared Text Reading in Small Groups 15 min
•Group Share/Discussion 10 min
•Independent Reading 20 min
(teacher conferences OR pulls GR group)
•Group Share/Evaluation 5 min

The shared text reading is also known as Guided Reading the Four Blocks Way
in that the class is reading from grade appropriate text at this time, and
the focus is on comprehension instruction. Text is either read whole class
or in Book Club format. I call it Shared Text because of the confusion that
arises when it is referred to as “Guided Reading”. During Independent
Reading time I also have incorporated conferencing OR pulling a “Guided
Reading” group. This group is formed based on a common need as evidenced
through teacher observation and/or conferences. Basically my Four Block
structure has merged into a three-block structure. All four of the
components are still in my literacy instruction they are just not segmented.

The conference is often the most difficult time for teachers new to the
workshop format. There is a new resource available that focuses on this
portion of the workshop. The book is now available in the Readinglady
Bookstore – How’s It Going? Here is the link to this text – Click Here
http://readinglady.net/search_results.asp?txtsearchParamTxt=how%27s+it+going
&txtsearchParamCat=ALL&txtsearchParamType=ALL&iLevel=1&txtsearchParamMan=ALL
&txtsearchParamVen=ALL&a mp;txtFromSearch=fromSearch

Teachers’ College has broken the conference into manageable pieces. This
three-part structure is outlined below –

Conference Structure:
•Research
•Decide
•Teach
*Based on the work of Teachers College.

Research:
•Dialogue with student about their reading
•Ask questions to get a feel for what the reader’s needs are
•Can periodically be a running record

Decide:
•Based on reader’s need
•What will help this reader now?
•What will help this reader in his/her reading life?
•Choose one (1) item to teach in this conference
•Make notes for future conferences/GR groups

Teach:
•One on one minilesson
•Demonstrate for student strategy or skill
•Explicitly teach

I have asked my teachers to refine the art of teaching one strategy or skill
during a conference. I too have been guilty of wanting to get it all in in
one sitting. It is not possible and not productive. For example, if student
A comes for a writing conference and you notice they need help in spacing,
stretching out works and punctuation, you would decide which ONE piece they
need right now and make note of the other items for future conferences
and/or small group instruction. You then would teach only that one skill on
the spot.
---
Readinglady Workshops:
I am scheduled to appear in North Carolina July 21 and 22. I will also be in
Virginia Beach in August, as well as Mexico.

I am also teaching a graduate course in Reading at the College of Staten
Island this summer – EDE 650 Advanced Study in Reading.

I very much enjoyed working with the talented teachers at PS 31 on Staten
Island these past 4 weeks. I am excited to return and see what you have put
together for next year.
---
I would love to share your lessons and thoughts. Please consider submitting
lessons and/or downloads that you have created for use in your classroom to
the Readinglady site. These can be invaluable to other teachers. If we all
share our resources we will grow together as educators. Feel free to submit
your ideas or lessons to me directly at readinglady1@aol.com .
Have a great week.
Laura
www.readinglady.com
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

back to archive