Saturday, July 28, 2012

Saturday Sayings: Shoehorning

(Click above for previous Saturday Sayings.)


We teachers are masters at shoehorning.  When it comes to new curriculum, sometimes shoehorning seems like the only tool we have at our disposal.  Unfortunately, it doesn't necessarily lead to the best teaching or the best learning.  There's little time for little else than squirting.  (Read here to learn more about this.)  With the adoption of Common Core upon us, we certainly don't want to revert to the squirt method.  Neither do we want or need to throw out and abandon all the practices we know are best for our kids.

So if something needs to go, what is it?  That's not an easy question to answer.  It's hard to let go, and don't we believe that everything in our classrooms is there for a very important reason?  

"Sometimes I think that if we, as teachers, want to move on, we need to take carloads of curricula to the dump.  It is only by cleaning out some old things that we can give time and space to new ones."  Lucy Calkins, The Art of Teaching Writing 187

I don't believe all old things are worth cleaning out if they've stood the test of time as best for kids, although constantly being in a state of reflection on how those practices can be improved upon is essential.  On the other hand, there are some old things that could be more efficiently taught in new and better ways.  Take this little guy for example.  

Remember the phonemic awareness/spelling worksheets filled with examples like this?  Some teachers have had a hard time fitting writing workshop into their busy day, yet there's a block of time designated for sheets like the one above.  It might not seem like there's room for writing workshop, but replacing activities about writing with an actual writing workshop, allows the students to practice their phonemic awareness and spelling skills in a much more practical and authentic way.  Sometimes the new fits perfectly into our day simply by reflecting on how the old might be taught in a more efficient and meaningful way.  The lack of shoehorning will give us, our kids, and the curriculum some room to breathe no doubt.


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14 comments:

  1. I so agree, Tammy! Seems that we have so much to teach anymore and there is no way we can teach all of it to a deep level. Should we teach it all at a surface level or the most important at a deep level? Writer' Workshop is SO important to keep!!
    Lori
    Conversations in Literacy

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    1. Lori, thanks for adding to the conversation. It all comes back to the deep level thinking thing, doesn't it? When we cram, that's what happens.

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  2. I am new to writers workshop but this quote makes me think that writer's workshop and I will get along just fine!! Thanks for helping me get excited about a school training! :)
    Julie
    Light A Fire in Third

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    1. Julie, I know that you will love writer's workshop. Keep us posted on your thoughts about it.

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  3. I love Lucy Calkins! I agree that we are asked to teach more and more every year. I hear teachers say that they just don't have enough time to cover everything. I think with experience, you can begin to weed out what isn't important. However, I remember being a new teacher and trying to cover everything because I thought I had to do it all.
    Connie:)
    www.welcometofirstgraderoom5.blogspot.com

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    1. Connie, you're right. As a new teacher, it's practically impossible to know what can be weeded out. All the more reason for great mentors, huh?

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  4. Good thoughts, Tammy. I'm feeling the pressure of time this year as we begin MTSS. It has made me take a good look at my schedule and what is most important!

    Crystal
    Teaching Little Miracles

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    1. Crystal, good luck with that schedule. It's so smart of you to be so reflective about it.

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  5. A very good reminder, Tammy. It DOES feel hard to meet all the requirements, but with some smart thinking, integration, and getting rid of all the useless worksheets, we can do it!
    ❀Barbara❀
    Grade ONEderful
    Ruby Slippers Blog Designs

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    1. Barbara, we can do it! (Especially without all the useless worksheets.)

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  6. Great post Tammy! With school just around the corner, now is a good time to reflect on what is essential. With CCSS, I believe we will have to use every minute of the day in a productive way. Integrating curriculum can help. Making the social studies lesson look more like a reading and writing lesson would be a start.
    Sandi
    Literacy Minute

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    1. Sandi, I like what Regie says about teaching with a sense of urgency. Every minute is so important.

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  7. I still have a phonics workbook to complete. As I get more seasoned at incorporating writing and reading workshops, the workbook seems like an afterthought of busy-ness.
    I am carefully picking and choosing what I will use from the basal series!

    Great thoughts, Tammy! ReadWriteSing

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    1. Chrissy, that's what great teachers do. They carefully pick and choose. Sounds like a perfect example!

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