I recently received an email from my contact in Grand Rapids. The subject heading of her email was; Plugged In--WOW! The following is what she had to say:
Hello All,
This morning I visited our 3 schools using the new Plugged In to Reading program: Alger Middle, MLK Academy, and Central H.S. Here is a snapshot of great things happening with respect to literacy and learning:
1. The first hour class in Mr. Lewis' room woke up quickly when he rapped a poem from the novel students are reading! 100% of the students were on task when it came time to read the book, Masquerade Bronx, a book the whole class is reading. In fact, I dare use the word "mesmerized" to describe the level of engagement students demonstrated while reading. Plugged In? You bet!
2. Students at MLK Academy in Ms. Lee's class were working independently with their literature selections. 3 students I spoke with were able to tell me about their books, including personal connections they made to main characters, what had confused them, and how they would get "unstuck." When I asked one student what she likes about Plugged In to Reading she said, "I get to read about people I would probably never meet and learn about their lives." I was impressed with her thinking b/c she was reading a book about an Amish girl, and discovered both she and the character had visited the state of Indiana. All students were working independently while Ms. Lee conferenced with students.
3. Students at Alger were just beginning to learn about roles one can play to stay engaged with a text and/or use when having a discussion about a text. Using the Engage, Explore, Explain model, students were introduced by Mrs. Cook to the Forecaster, the Journalist, and the Magician. Students were going to try one of these roles when reading their individual selections. Mrs. Cook is teaching the roles as she prepares students for literature circles.
Overall, I saw some great learning occurring, and I was there for just a snapshot. Teachers shared materials with me, which I will pass on to all the Plugged In teachers soon. All 3 instructors had good things to say about Plugged In.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Friday, December 14, 2007
More Success in Lexington, SC
Anne and I did some more observations. The students in these classes had scored below basic two years in a row on their state tests in ELA.
In all classes today all students were engaged with activities, both reading and writing.
One teacher decided to do Midwife's Apprentice with her group and was worried that it would be too hard for them based on their reading levels and the lexile level of the book, but the students are "really getting it and enjoying the book."
"Kids are asking to read all day."
"I love the books and things are going well."
One teacher said that other teachers come to her and ask, "How do you do it?" meaning keeping kids engaged and on task. She tells them, "It's not me, it's the books."
One teacher told us that she had a substitute teacher yesterday and the sub reported to her that the kids did not want to stop reading.
In all classes today all students were engaged with activities, both reading and writing.
One teacher decided to do Midwife's Apprentice with her group and was worried that it would be too hard for them based on their reading levels and the lexile level of the book, but the students are "really getting it and enjoying the book."
"Kids are asking to read all day."
"I love the books and things are going well."
One teacher said that other teachers come to her and ask, "How do you do it?" meaning keeping kids engaged and on task. She tells them, "It's not me, it's the books."
One teacher told us that she had a substitute teacher yesterday and the sub reported to her that the kids did not want to stop reading.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Lexington 1 SC
Today Anne and I observed in 4 different PITR classrooms at 4 different schools. We traveled with 2 district administrators. The way that Lexington 1 is implementing the program is in what they call Comprehensive Remediation. The students who are in these classes have scored below basic on the PACT (South Carolina's state test) two years in a row. So these are At-Risk students. We were able to view some classes doing independent reading and some doing core novels. As an overall, we saw a lot of student engagement with both reading and writing activities. This is something that has not happened typically with these students in the past. Here are some quotes and stories from the day.
One student who had never read a whole book before started reading Flipped in class and on her own went to the library to check it out so she could continue to read it at home.
Here is a quote from a district level administrator.
"Kids are so excited about the books....to see the boys not want the bell to ring so they could keep reading was so great."
The assistant principal at Pleasant Hill Middle said that skills (that they are developing in PITR class) are carrying over to other classes.
One teacher said that when she started Monster at the start of the course with the kids, the didn't believe that they were going to read a book that long and when they finished they were so proud of themselves and were much more confident.
One teacher said, "Students are so enthralled with reading."
One student who had never read a whole book before started reading Flipped in class and on her own went to the library to check it out so she could continue to read it at home.
Here is a quote from a district level administrator.
"Kids are so excited about the books....to see the boys not want the bell to ring so they could keep reading was so great."
The assistant principal at Pleasant Hill Middle said that skills (that they are developing in PITR class) are carrying over to other classes.
One teacher said that when she started Monster at the start of the course with the kids, the didn't believe that they were going to read a book that long and when they finished they were so proud of themselves and were much more confident.
One teacher said, "Students are so enthralled with reading."
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Tanglewood Middle, Greenville, SC
Here are some of the stories and/or quotes from teachers using PITR at Tanglewood Middle in Greenville.
One teacher teaching a self contained special ed class of 19 students used Drive By and turned it into a whole class core novel using the independent reading guide as help. She said that these kids hated to write and could not stop the writing activates that went along with the book. Also, the kids were trying desperately to read ahead to find out what happened and these were kids that never liked to read before. "Kids were so into the book (Drive By), they could not stop talking about it." She also said many of these children had never read a whole book and since September have read over 615 pages.
Another teacher turned Scorpions into a whole class novel. She said, "The kids were so excited, they were 'robbing' the library for similar books."
Another teacher is the Read 180 teacher and she uses the independent reading guides along with the Read 180 materials in her class.
Another teacher taught "Skin I'm In" and said, "The kids loved it."
One teacher teaching a self contained special ed class of 19 students used Drive By and turned it into a whole class core novel using the independent reading guide as help. She said that these kids hated to write and could not stop the writing activates that went along with the book. Also, the kids were trying desperately to read ahead to find out what happened and these were kids that never liked to read before. "Kids were so into the book (Drive By), they could not stop talking about it." She also said many of these children had never read a whole book and since September have read over 615 pages.
Another teacher turned Scorpions into a whole class novel. She said, "The kids were so excited, they were 'robbing' the library for similar books."
Another teacher is the Read 180 teacher and she uses the independent reading guides along with the Read 180 materials in her class.
Another teacher taught "Skin I'm In" and said, "The kids loved it."
Alger MS Grand Rapids
We finished our first teacher directed — loved it.
The kids are this marking period doing self directed. WOW! They are loving it. I love just watching their facial expressions while they read and listen!!!! Makes me wish my summer vacation was here, so that I can read some of these books!
Angela Cook, Alger MS, Grand Rapids, MI
The kids are this marking period doing self directed. WOW! They are loving it. I love just watching their facial expressions while they read and listen!!!! Makes me wish my summer vacation was here, so that I can read some of these books!
Angela Cook, Alger MS, Grand Rapids, MI
Friday, December 7, 2007
Making a Difference
The most rewarding part about working with Plugged-in To Reading is seeing the difference that it is making in students' lives. Teachers are creating independent, excited, engaged students. Students are developing an appriciation for literacy, an improved self-esteem, and a love of learning. These are some of the things that educators and students have shared :
Brent Yoder at Jackson IC had two students from his 8th. grade class last year come back to visit him. Both had made the Honor Role their freshman year---both had expulsion incidents in previous grades before becoming his students----I'm hopeful we are promoting higher graduation levels with our program!
Bill Caparo
South Bend, IN
"We have never been given books like the ones in Plugged-in To Reading. Before we were forced to read "baby books." Now we are reading about interesting stuff. The people in these books are people that I can relate to. These books are about things I want to know about and understand."
7th Grade Student
South Bend, IN
"I enjoy discussing the books as a class and in Literature Circles. I wouldn't even mind reading the same book twice because it is the discussion that makes it so different. I like hearing what others thought of the book and sharing my opinions."
8th Grade Student
South Bend, IN
...the kids are loving the Plugged into Reading program! Of course, the independent reading is their favorite, they just love the 30-45 minutes I give them to read on their own. They have started asking for the worksheets that go along with their books, if you can believe that! What I've also done is given each child a folder, titled "Core Novel Study." Every graphic organizer we do goes in there, and at the end of the book I ask them to put their papers in order by date, and turn them in.
That way, I can see if they're keeping track of everything. I know they're doing them, because we do them together. I just want to make sure they are being responsible enough to keep track of their own papers. I have quite a few that are a bit disorganized.
Courtney Baranay
Marshall IC
South Bend, IN
During the last 12 years teaching Special Education, one of my biggest challenges has been getting my students to read; they don’t like it and aren’t good at it! Since implementing PITR almost a year ago, my students love to read and are getting better all the time; many are finishing books for the 1st time in their life!! One student said, “I have never read as much in my whole life as I have this year.” Another said, “I have never read a whole book in my life before this year.” They literally eat them up (books)!! Before PITR, my students only wanted to have study time with me (totally avoiding reading). Now they get mad when they don’t get to read. The first thing I hear almost every period of every day is “Can we read today?” How awesome is that!! Not only do they love to read, but they are finally able to understand what’s going on in the books. Very few of them had ever passed an AR (accelerated reader) test before PITR; now most all of them score with 80%, 90%, and even 100% scores!! Finally, the most enjoyable part for me as a teacher is the discussion we are able to have with the novels. After having one-sided conversations with students for 11 years, it has been awesome to spend the last year actually having conversations with students where they do most of the talking!! I pose some thought provoking questions, and BOOM!! I get reactions!! If you have any apprehension about trying PITR, just jump in with both feet and get them wet!! The worst thing that can happen is that your students will read…a lot!!
Charlie Crouse
Special Education Teacher
Triton Middle School
Fairland, Indiana
I find these stories everywhere I go as I follow up on classroom teachers that are making a difference in the lives of their students using Plugged-in To Reading.
Angela Crouse
Consultant for Plugged-in To Reading
Brent Yoder at Jackson IC had two students from his 8th. grade class last year come back to visit him. Both had made the Honor Role their freshman year---both had expulsion incidents in previous grades before becoming his students----I'm hopeful we are promoting higher graduation levels with our program!
Bill Caparo
South Bend, IN
"We have never been given books like the ones in Plugged-in To Reading. Before we were forced to read "baby books." Now we are reading about interesting stuff. The people in these books are people that I can relate to. These books are about things I want to know about and understand."
7th Grade Student
South Bend, IN
"I enjoy discussing the books as a class and in Literature Circles. I wouldn't even mind reading the same book twice because it is the discussion that makes it so different. I like hearing what others thought of the book and sharing my opinions."
8th Grade Student
South Bend, IN
...the kids are loving the Plugged into Reading program! Of course, the independent reading is their favorite, they just love the 30-45 minutes I give them to read on their own. They have started asking for the worksheets that go along with their books, if you can believe that! What I've also done is given each child a folder, titled "Core Novel Study." Every graphic organizer we do goes in there, and at the end of the book I ask them to put their papers in order by date, and turn them in.
That way, I can see if they're keeping track of everything. I know they're doing them, because we do them together. I just want to make sure they are being responsible enough to keep track of their own papers. I have quite a few that are a bit disorganized.
Courtney Baranay
Marshall IC
South Bend, IN
During the last 12 years teaching Special Education, one of my biggest challenges has been getting my students to read; they don’t like it and aren’t good at it! Since implementing PITR almost a year ago, my students love to read and are getting better all the time; many are finishing books for the 1st time in their life!! One student said, “I have never read as much in my whole life as I have this year.” Another said, “I have never read a whole book in my life before this year.” They literally eat them up (books)!! Before PITR, my students only wanted to have study time with me (totally avoiding reading). Now they get mad when they don’t get to read. The first thing I hear almost every period of every day is “Can we read today?” How awesome is that!! Not only do they love to read, but they are finally able to understand what’s going on in the books. Very few of them had ever passed an AR (accelerated reader) test before PITR; now most all of them score with 80%, 90%, and even 100% scores!! Finally, the most enjoyable part for me as a teacher is the discussion we are able to have with the novels. After having one-sided conversations with students for 11 years, it has been awesome to spend the last year actually having conversations with students where they do most of the talking!! I pose some thought provoking questions, and BOOM!! I get reactions!! If you have any apprehension about trying PITR, just jump in with both feet and get them wet!! The worst thing that can happen is that your students will read…a lot!!
Charlie Crouse
Special Education Teacher
Triton Middle School
Fairland, Indiana
I find these stories everywhere I go as I follow up on classroom teachers that are making a difference in the lives of their students using Plugged-in To Reading.
Angela Crouse
Consultant for Plugged-in To Reading
Principal in Awe of How Into the Books Students Are
It has been an awesome beginning!
I’ve lost count of the number of times my Principal has brought others by my office and remarked how “into the books the students are.” Our ESL Teacher is also using Bronx Masquerade with his students.
My Senior English classes are into chapter 3 of Dating Hamlet as Told by Ophelia. It, too, is going very well.
Several students come to my office (now the library) to sit and read or get a book to take to the lab to read.
S. Franklin, High School English Teacher,
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