I once heard about a conversation between a secondary and elementary teacher. In awe, the secondary teacher made a comment about all the things an elementary teacher is responsible to teach in a day, to which the elementary teacher responded with, "That's what scripted programs are for." That response both dumbfounds and saddens me. Indeed I have a mountain-load of material to daily teach my first graders, but I don't believe that's reason enough to hand over the professional decision-making process in my classroom to a collection of strangers who have scripted my teaching for me. Even after starting my 20th year of teaching, I don't claim to be an expert at creative and authentic lesson planning, but I know the struggle and challenge is worth it. I'm not one to surrender when I know what's right for my kids. If I find myself in a conversation with someone who is in awe of how much I teach in a day, I'll smile, shrug, and say, "It's just what I do."
P.S. I do use Lucy Calkin's Units of Study. She's definitely onto something. I don't use them verbatim though. I tweak and use them as a guide just as she would want me to.
YES! I cannot teach like anyone but me. I cannot follow a script someone else has written. I want to be flexible enough to listen to the needs and wants of my students and their families and change what I'm doing to help them grow into amazing learners. I found your post especially empowering...Thank you!
ReplyDeleteJenny
Jenny, ahh, thanks for letting me know this was empowering. That would be my hope!
DeleteI'm currently staring the most scripted program I've seen in the face...the math curriculum at my new school. I can tell you I definitely don't follow it word for word, using it more as a jumping off point. Not sure how I feel about the program yet... Seems if I taught as they suggested it would be BORING! ;-)
ReplyDeleteCrystal
Teaching Little Miracles
Crystal, boring seems like a typical problem when it comes to scripts. Jumping off point sounds like a great way to approach it!
DeleteJust this week I made a list of "what makes sense to me" for math. I feel like I get distracted by all the ideas and talks (particularly at school) and decided I needed to focus and teach what makes sense to me. So next week, as I work with my kids on math facts, I have a plan that I feel happy with.
ReplyDeleteSara
Sara, it's easy to get bogged down in all the ideas and conversations. I think your plan to teach in the way that makes sense to you and your kids makes a lot of sense.
DeleteOnce again Tammy, you have posted a quote that is very timely for me. We just received and an e-mail last week saying our district is adopting a scripted 2-hour reading block. What really gets me is in this whole push for "rigor" the whole thing is very low-level, very teacher-centered, very undifferentiated (the whole class is supposed to read the same basal story at the same time) *sigh*. I was very upset and went to my admin and convinced them that I can tweak what they want us to teach for my kiddos. It's a shame we have to advocate for our students, but we have to do what's in their best interests. So I'm raising my hand, I have the fight in me Debbie Miller! :)
ReplyDeleteNotJustChild'sPlay
Miss Trayers, I'd have a problem with a 2-hour scripted reading block too. I'm glad you're in. Your students are blessed that you know how to tweak!
DeleteI agree. It can be so easy to fall into the similar and stop working hard though. We can do this though and push for the best for our students!
ReplyDeleteMeghan
Meghan, I like that. We need to push instead of fall. Well put.
DeleteScripted is maybe okay your first year as a security blanket but after that, I agree, with you, Tammy, and all your readers. A skilled teacher needs to do what works for the students. Professional autonomy is SO important!
ReplyDeleteBarb, good point. Regie would say the same. Use the scripted program to get going. After that, if a teacher is still using the program like they were the first year, we've got a problem. :)
DeleteI think you know I LOVE this quote!! I could not do a scripted program. I don't have one teacher's edition in my room or a program. WE must make the decisions that fit our students' needs the most. :)
ReplyDeleteLori
Conversations in Literacy
Lori, yep I knew you would. I do have teacher's editions in my room, although they're above the cabinets and a bit dusty. :)
DeleteWe have scripted programs for reading and math, HOWEVER, I'm required to meet in small groups with each child every day in both subjects, PLUS design and manage station rotations. I'm not complaining--I love the small groups and the learning that takes place during station/center time. But there is no way an entire scripted lesson can take place in conjunction with the other required components. Also? The writers don't know my class, my demographic.
ReplyDeleteThere are only so many minutes in a school day! :-)
ReadWriteSing
Chrissy, they certainly don't know you and your students. I hope you're allowed some choice within all those expectations. :)
DeleteWhat a great quote! I am SO thankful to be in a school with a principal who grants autonomy (despite the district's curriculum maps) Now we have common core, which I think frees us even more, since not much of our curriculum matches anyway.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I think Lucy would be appalled if people used her Units of Study as a script! In fact, I think she would hope it moves people away from scripted curriculum!
Laurie
Chickadee Jubilee
Laurie, I'm very thankful for the same. It would be hard to teach with my hands tied behind my back and that's how I'd feel if I had to follow a script. I'm sure you are so right about Lucy!
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