Friday, March 16, 2012

Mosaic Book Club

So Antoinette and I work in a school that is a little "old school".  Over the 5 years that I have worked there the expectation was to use the Basal.  (A basal that was published before 2004, by the way.)  To some of us it is almost like a four letter word.  Many of us have been "editing" out parts we didn't think were benficial for the kids, and supplementing with "better" ideas.
Well, luckily our district has decided to join the modern age and embrace balanced literacy.  The district is so large that some schools were already doing balanced literacy and others of us were still "old school."  In an effort to be ahead for next year, our building is reading Mosaic of Thought.  (At this moment I know many of you are gasping at the fact that this book will be "new" to my coworkers.)
I read it back in college, but never had the chance to use it.  My first district used Success For All.  Then I moved to my current district. 
I am one of the people driving the discussion of the book with my coworkers.
I would love your help!
 We are meeting every Tuesday starting next week.  I am planning to post on Wednesdays, about the discussion and hoping you more experienced in the ideas may be able to clarify questions.
For the first week we are discussing the background behind Mosaic (huge ideas for myself and my coworkers) and schema.
Hopefully Wednesday you will stop by and check out the discussion.

EmilyK

3 comments:

  1. This is so interesting to me, Emily, because our district, which has been Balanced Literacy FOREVER, is discussing adopting a basal!! Seriously?? Can't wait to see your posts!


    Laura
    Peace, Love, and First Grade

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  2. I can't wait to read your posts! My district doesn't quite know what it wants. It says balanced literacy then spends bajillions (OK maybe not that much) of dollars on a basal series!?! Best of luck to you!!!

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  3. Hi! I'm your newest follower! We currently use a basal as well but I really want to ditch it! I'm excited to follow along on your journey without the basal :) Stop on over when you get a chance!

    Courtney
    Teaching in Paradise

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