As I reflect over the past year (I can't believe it has already been a year!) there were times that I agreed with what the book said, and other times that I felt like his world was totally disconnected from my first grade world, and the connections felt like a bit of a stretch. Overall, I agree with his philosophy. I believe that we need to really "Focus" what we teach, and go into depth vs. trying to teach everything. I remember him talking about cutting down the standards by 50% and only teaching what is most important. This is something that I wish we had more control over. I am interested to see how this feels as we transition into common core standards.
The chapter that spoke to me most as a first grade teacher was Ch. 4:English Language Arts Made Simple. I am responsible for teaching all of my kids how to read before I send them on. This chapter had a couple that run through my mind all the time.
"If you were born poor, you'd better start reading." -Joe Queenan
"Every year, every student needs to spend hundreds of hours actually reading, writing, and speaking for intellectual purposes."
"Wide, abundant reading is the surest route out of poverty and the limitations that impose themselves on the less literate."
This speaks to so many of our kids in Lebanon. Fortunately we can give them the tools they need to succeed-an education.
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