---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Maxine Cwagrach <maxinetz@xxxxxxx> Subject: RE: changes in lit program I would like to second Avi Tsur's praise of Sharon Tsur's posting, with its positive, even healing, tone and constructive suggestions. A breath of fresh air amid all the acrimony that has characterized the HOTS debate here on ETNI over the past several months. Thank you, Sharon. Regards, Maxine Tsvaigrach Sharon wrote: > First, though I've already gotten some mails lamenting the "partial victory", I was THRILLED to see the changes in the lit program. Let's remember that we are living in a world where sometimes compromise is necessary. For one thing, for the next three years, the HOTs question will not be mandatory – and though people doing the Log are supposed to teach the HOTs, no HOT questions will be mandatory in the Summative Assignments (aka exams). Three years is a long time and who know what will happen after that? I imagine that if the students who choose the non-HOT question on the exam greatly outnumber those who choose the HOT question – it might give the Ministry pause. More significant – there is a world of difference between teaching 6 HOTs and teaching 14. This is a quantitative difference that is actually also qualitative. I imagine that the 6 chosen will not be six which are very similar – making students come up with fine distinction. I imagine that they will choose 6 that differ from each other considerably. This will make it far easier to teach and to deal with. Perhaps we can suggest the ones we think are best. My vote would be different perspectives (because of its unique role in literature) generating possibilities (which I consider to be the most creative HOT), comparing and contrasting (because it is such a useful tool for analysis in literature), uncovering motives (again, very important to literature), and perhaps "evaluating" – because it gives the students a chance to express their own opinions. True, we are still waiting for answers on the issues of pay – but as far as the program itself – this is a great relief. ----------------------------------------------- ** Etni homepage - http://www.etni.org ** for help - ask@xxxxxxxx ** ** to post to this list - etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** -----------------------------------------------