[LIT] Ariticle from Voices in the Middle--and a new subject:)

[kimberlee hannan]

Hello,
Last year was my first year in middle school.  My notebooks, had notes,
activities, and responses all in one.  I had between 25-30 notebooks in 5
classes last year.  After coming from 15 years in elementary I thought I was
going to die.  However, before long I had come up with a system.  I
collected notebooks every three weeks or so.  One class every day, the
biggest class on Fridays so I could have the weekend, if I needed.  My TA"S
would go through the Table of Contents and just check off that the notes,
activities, and responses were there.  Purely counting.  Then I went through
and responded or commented on anything.    The kids got two grades, one for
having everything and one for me for quality of work.  While I didn't
"grade" individual responses.  Not having to actually count or check off or
grade saved me hours.

However next year, I am having the kids bring a notebook for notes and
activities (I'm teaching history to them also) that's separate for Reading
Responses.  I'll tell the kids they need to come in at least once every two
weeks to me. In In the Middle, Atwell says something to the effect, she
gives herself an hour a day to work on notebooks.  If they turn it in early,
they get a good response back.  If the kids choose to wait until the very
last minute to turn theirs in, they get a short comment.    Iam beginning a
pair share idea at the end of Workshop every day, so I will not expect them
to respond to each other, unless they choose to later in the year.


-- 
Kim
-------
Kimberlee Hannan
Department Chair
Sequoia Middle School
Fresno, California 93702


Laugh when you can, apologize when you should, let go of what you can't
change, kiss slowly, play hard, forgive quickly, take chances, give
everything, have no regrets.. Life's too short to be anything but happy.

kxhanna at fresno.k12.ca.us