[etni] Fw: Re: A response to Sharon Tsur

From: "Ask_Etni" <ask@xxxxxxxx>
To: "ETNI" <etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Mon, 2 Feb 2009 21:23:03 +0200
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Mitzi Geffen - mitzi1002001@xxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: A response to Sharon Tsur

Having been part of the pilot, and just at the very end of completing the 
literature logs with my favorite guinea pigs, my response to most of the 
concerns raised by Sharon and those who agree with her is to do the log 
instead of the exam. It is more like a portfolio, than a project, in that 
the tasks that are included in the log, except for the very last 2, are 
tasks that the students do as a part of each unit.

I, too, don't care for the core pieces that were chosen and can't imagine 
teaching a piece that I don't like. Though I felt rather rushed trying to 
finish the pilot program in one semester, I really enjoyed working on my 
choices with my students, and they said that they liked them too. They 
especially liked the play (Twelve Angry Men). I can imagine that 2 or three 
years would be enough time to do the work at a more normal pace, and do 
other types of reading, writing, and speaking activities which would not be 
included in the module.

I don't agree that the program ruins the literature experience for anyone, 
or prevents creative lessons from happening. We acted bits out and 
interviewed characters, and made up new endings, etc. etc. , and it all fits 
into the framework of the module.

As for the HOTS. I reserve judgment. I need to try it again to feel more 
positive about combining teaching them ( or teaching noticing that one is 
using them - presuming we clarify what we are actually talking about when we 
say HOTS) with literature. In the meantime, I have tried some of the 
activities with my 8th grade intellectually challenged students, with 
surprisingly delightful results. I can say, though, that my reservations 
notwithstanding, dealing with the HOTS did not get in the way of the (12th 
grade) kids enjoying the stories, poems or the play. The main thing, I 
think, is the right choice of pieces.

Finally, regarding the extra work -I certainly wouldn't mind being paid 
handsomely for all of the marking involved, but I have learned my lesson, 
and will mark as I go next time. Besides, I am counting on the Irgun to 
assure us reasonable compensation for the work. The truth is, that when I 
look at all of the writing that I mark for one of my 10th grade classes - 
not part of the lit module, it's not so very different from the amount of 
time I spent marking the tasks for the log. In any case, I am quite sure, 
that by the time we actually come to implementing the program, it will have 
been tweaked considerably.

And really finally - Anyone who has recommendations about pieces of 
literature to be included in the program should certainly send them to Judy 
Steiner - whether you are currently participating in a course, or not!

All the best,
          Mitzi



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[etni] Fw: Re: A response to Sharon Tsur

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