Comprehension Jigsaw Discussion Blog

Good morning everyone. I no longer number my blogs because I think I am doing that wrong. This coming from a math teacher, Ugh! Following last Thursday's class, I clutched onto the Reading Mathematics More Than Words Can Say article probably from my profession and that I related to it the most out of the other articles given. In my first year at my school, our former principal, who was a math teacher for many years, reminded me that mathematics is its own language which was reinforced and restated in this article. I was also reminded of misused and confusing words. For example, my seventh graders this year struggled with the word "Fair" when we began simple and complex probability. We went over the different meanings of fair, used visuals, examples and non-examples. It took time but my goal was to clear up the confusion. At the same time, I am frustrated that I am behind in covering material in comparison to the other seventh grade math teacher. The expert in my group reminded us to create tables, charts, diagrams as well as classifying and categorizing. Basically, this article reminded us "to makes sense of dollars and cents." The next article was Promoting Reading in Social Studies. Our expert encouraged us as well as the article to LGL, label, group and list, which will force learners to reread, categorize, and engage with predictable text. I also like this approach because I believe this approach would help students to organize their thoughts. At the age I teach, I find organization of self, locker, backpack and yes, even thoughts, is an area my learners greatly struggle with. After calculating the grade level of the Social Studies textbook last Thursday, I liked that this article reinforced Inquiry Charts, front loading and ERT techniques. At a time when the information is maturing so rapidly but my students are not, I believe these approaches will aid concentration and focus to occur more efficiently. The ERT technique, Everybody Reads To....., is reading for a purpose. In this time when patience is thin and distractions are many, a time of quiet, meaningful reading is truly crucial. "Front Loading" was explained to us as accessing complex text by first using the learner's prior knowledge. The next article was Close Reading as an Intervention for Struggling Middle School Readers. Our expert explained to us that a study was performed because so many students were not connecting to the material and as a result, not passing state tests. An optional program was established. The attendance was exemplary with 94% but their special needs population was not included and they discovered that technology made very little difference in the outcomes. Learning was connected to prior knowledge and focus was on constructing a situational model. They also discovered that the issues were not solved with rigor. As a result of last week's class, I would like to try LGL especially when it comes to math word problems. This may help my students organize their thoughts and calculations. As of right now, the traditional factoring tree is avoided by many because their writing gets out of control and they can't read their own calculations. I have shown them another method but again, they are finding their numbers are illegible especially 4's and 9's. I constantly encourage my learners to lean on/refer to what they already know so "front loading" has been utilized by myself for awhile. I would also like to try the ERT time but take a mathematical approach or possibly use it as a last seven minutes of the period to come together before the bell rings. As a reading specialist, I would encourage and suggest these methods discussed in this blog as well as some other graphic organizers because I really organization is a consistent weakness in middle school. With the teachers, aides, specialists assistance and consistency, learners may just become organized individuals. I do believe consistent TEAM periods must be given to all staff members not just most. This year, I have no TEAM periods unlike the majority of my fellow colleagues so I do not see or talk to anyone this year. I would really like to meet with my middle or even elementary members perhaps before school or during lunch if schedules can not be worked out. I am all for change and learning new but it must be dome with consistency and organization.