[LIT] lit Digest, Vol 19, Issue 9

[kimberlee hannan]

I can totally relate to how you feel.  I was also was taught to use the
RW/WW and LOVED it.  In my old life in elementary, we were to be on a
certain page of the basal at a certain time.  Short of a coronary or murder
of my administrator, I complied (when the door was open...).

Then I decided to move up to middle school and found a new mind.  They
wanted the kids taught and the STANDARDS taught,  not the book.  Now, with
that in mind, our district is trying a new approach .  There are certain
things that the standards demand be taught.  The district has (stupid, IMHO)
benchmarks they give.  They also give us a predetermined list of vocabulary
words that need to be taught.

The new curriculum maps are laid out so that the standards to be taught are
laid out.  The result at the end of the quarter is there.  How I get from
point A to point B is up to me.  The map is laid out so that a new teacher
can use the textbook exclusively if they so choose.  The experienced teacher
can do in the way they feel is best for kids.  I choose to do RW/WW.  As
long as I work within the standards, I am fine.

For the first time, I don't feel constricted completely by someone else's
agenda.  New and valuing individual creativity--new fangled idea.

Maybe this is something you can suggest to your powers that be...
Kim


-- 
Kimberlee Hannan
Department Chair
Sequoia Middle School
Fresno, CA

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