| Subject: I tried to deal with the AR issue today, as a mom... |
Author:
Beth
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Date Posted: 21:38:52 08/07/06 Mon
Author Host/IP: ACA94A61.ipt.aol.com/172.169.74.97
In reply to:
Lori
's message, "I decided to call and talk to him today" on 18:27:08 08/07/06 Mon
I was totally honest. It turns out that the presenter is a gal who had a son in Liam's preschool class, and she remembered us. I tried to explain.
Here's the deal. Our kids are REQUIRED to read for 30 minutes a day in class from an AR book that's in their ZPD. Well, hm. Liam finished 4th grade with a score of 12.9+. So, the lower end of his ZPD is above grade level.
There just aren't a lot of interesting things written at the high school level. Once you get there you're talking nonfiction. The materials that are AGE appropriate are written between 4th and 6th grade level.
In addition, although the district guidlines for a kid reading at 12.9+ is about 27 points per quarter, last year his teacher had his goal set at around 45 points. That's A LOT of points! The presenter said, "Do you mean that they expected his free reading to be in his ZPD?" WHAT free reading? When a kid has to get 45 points in 8 weeks he GETS no free reading. Most books are worth 4 to 7 points. He's read all the Harry Potter books...they're the only ones worth huge points.
So, where do we go for the next 8 years??? The test tops out at 12.9+. He will be at this SAME reading level for 8 years? They'll expect the same of him as a high school senior as they do now?
They don't see the insanity of this. This whole program is also majorly unfair to teachers. To implement it as directed it would take AN HOUR a day!!! An hour of work a day for a silent reading program???
She said the research shows that feedback is the most important part of a reading program. I beg to differ!!! In my 22 years of teaching reading I have found that READING is what makes a difference. Take out your LD and EMH kiddos...anyone with learning issues of course has other hurdles to jump. But, for the "average" kid, it's like walking. You learn to walk by walking. You learn to read by reading.
When I was a kid this would have totally turned me off!
What really bothers me is that for my kiddos, it is such a frustration! Last year they passed all their tests the took with me. Why? Because I gave them major support as we read it together AND we discussed each question as we tested...we never gave answers, but we shared thoughts. When you have kids reading 4 or more grade levels below where they should be, success is a must. My kids failed almost all the tests they took alone in class. Well, this year they aren't being allowed to test with, even if they read with. In addition, they don't want them testing over any instructional materials. Meaning I won't get to test with my kids at all. Hey, let's remove all the support from our struggling readers, give them repeated doses of failure, tell them they have to read "baby" books, then sit back and wait for growth. UGH.
I'll be honest, I'm in a funk today because of my friend Chris' good news. How juvenile, right? Well, she got married about 3 years ago. Her husband works at the local grocery store. She has a toddler...since having the baby she's worked part time. Today she said she's starting an online masters.
It sounded good...then I asked about financing, etc. Oh, you pay by semester. It will cost her $12,000 over the next 20 months. But, they have money socked away. Sigh. I am topped out. Obviously I am going to teach for the next 20 years without getting a pay raise. This is the pits!
I can't afford a masters, and without one I can't earn enough money to afford a masters. See a problem here? Everyone was telling Chris how the money is NOTHING and she'll more than make it back in 3 years. It's NOTHING if you have money. For those of us who don't, well....
I am seriously thinking of talking to Habitat for Humanity. They had an ad in our bulletin Sunday...saying they want applicants for upcoming homes. I will never be able to get approved for anything any other way. Maybe if I got into someplace where my payments were stable...I could eventually start affording college hours.
I'm just dreaming. Never mind me!
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