Comments for Kevin's Meandering Mind

Comment on Moving Students to Think with Writing by Debra F.

Debra F. — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:56:35 +0000

Kevin,
This is a really good outline for writing prompts. I think it is important to include in your setting prompt a question about the time the story takes place, i.e. what was going on in history, as it often has a large impact on the plot that kids may or may not be aware of. You may want to have the students find out a little background information if you think it plays a pertinent part of the story. I find this is especially true in being able to interpret poetry and being able to understand the author’s intention.

Comment on Day Four: 30Poems in 30 Days by kabod1

kabod1 — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:59:30 +0000

Thanks for image of the goose/student, Kevin.
I’ve seen both. Sometimes I feel like one myself
(a loner, daydreamer…not a goose).
There’s something about a poem.
They just feel right.

Comment on Moving Students to Think with Writing by Gail P

Gail P — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:41:58 +0000

This was a fascinating read and clearly outlines your process toward a new curriculum angle. The TEST we are pushed to improve on has a trickle down effect all the way to kindergarten. My listening center starts with a headphones listening piece, where the small group of students is asked to listen closely and examine the illustrations. This is followed by a general discussion by the group of 6 students. They each have a comment card and a question card that can help them through the discussion. The final piece is the report. This is where the proof of the pudding comes out. They are asked to identify the main character(s) and then finish the sentence. The most important thing that happened in the story was… This is all scribed by an adult. After all, we are not focusing on writing text here but focusing on comprehension. It’s not always clear in these picture books what the most important event was but the student/teacher conversations reveal whether they followed the plot well enough. In the story this week “Oh Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone?” They can say that the dog ran away or the dog came back. Both work. It is not that the dog rode the bike. This is very challenging for many of the students and they frequently need adult help for the discussion. A few students need to listen to the story again by themselves so there are fewer distractions and the reread fleshes things out more. Let’s keep in mind that it’s the process and the practice with the text that will get them there K through 6.

Comment on Moving Students to Think with Writing by Paul Oh

Paul Oh — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:55:04 +0000

I’ll be interested to follow this, Kevin. Thanks for blogging this process and your efforts to document your “big shift.”

Comment on Resolving my rants about our Literacy Conference by Mary B

Mary B — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:15:31 +0000

I am greatly looking forward to attending the Dublin Literacy Conference and sitting in on your presentation. I am a new Technology Support Teacher in 2 of Dublin’s elementary schools and am excited to learn from you in person!

Comment on My Map of Sponsors for the 30Poems30Days project by Bonnie K

Bonnie K — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 10:39:28 +0000

Hatz La Ha- Good luck!
BOnnie

Comment on Resolving my rants about our Literacy Conference by Gail P

Gail P — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:06:38 +0000

Who let the dogs out?!
Seriously, it’s great news to hear your students are taking things they have learned and applying them to their own lives. You can be very proud.
Glad to hear you’re picking up the ball for the tech conference with the digital breakout session. Should be an interesting turn of events.

Comment on A message from beyond by Kevin

Kevin — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:22:46 +0000

Hi Terry
Well, not every comic is a hit! Or even close …

But glad you liked my comment.
Thanks for taking the time to leave a note.
Kevin

Comment on A message from beyond by Terry Freedman

Terry Freedman — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:49:53 +0000

Kevin, I didn’t find the cartoon that funny, but I REAALY liked your comment about it!

Comment on Shifting into a Literacy Initiative and More by Emily Wilkes

Emily Wilkes — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:26:41 +0000

A good thing about the books in the F&G kit are high interest, low vocabulary, so that they can be somewhat interesting to the students no matter what reading level they are at.