OK so now that we know this works, we need to get others on board. Is blogging practical for other teachers? We can do a "walk "through" for those intimidated by blogging. I love it!! We are so on the edge!
Teachers MUST write in front of their students – allow the struggle to be seen and heard
Kids need to learn when to write formally – their work is public – change register of language
Restating the question is like a portal to the answer – no pronouns
Use fairy tales, common stories to practice: Little Red Riding Hood The Three Little Pigs Goldilocks and the Three Bears The Grasshopper and the Ant The Lion and the Mouse The City Mouse and the Country Mouse
Steps in Formula:
1. Restate the question – open or closed restatement
2. Construct a GIST answer, general, topic sentence, main idea
3. Using details to support your answer - Chap 4.- Here we are!
This step unfolds naturally from Step 2, the Gist Answer. The Gist Answer will point the student directly toward the details that will support it- return to the text to search
The Answer Sandwich is introduced in this chapter.
I will see if book is available......i think blogging is very practical.....at own time.....i had a little trouble with my id number....did not want to take it.....maybe one day after school we could meet quickly in computer lab and i will try to mention it at teamings
Had to create an account, so if I have 2 messages show up sorry! This is pretty cool. Would really like to take a look at this book...any ideas on how we can get another copy? What's the cost...maybe I'll just get one!
I like the idea of the blog, now that I am on and signed in! I have enjoyed your summaries Connie. I have tried to use several of the ideas, like the restating the qustion with short questions about fairy tales. (I was surprised that the kids did not know the story of the 3bears.) We have also done "Just say no to pronouns." It would be great to read the book, but I had probably stick to the summaries (I have good intentions, but I always have a hard time keeping up with my reading.) I am not sure about introducing the gist statement. Maybe soemthing for next year. I am concerned that it is too late in the game this year.
Thanks for stopping by Kim and Trisha. It is a good book and I have read it several times, each time it sinks in a little deeper. I just know Tara Wells swore by it 4 or 5 years ago. She taught 3rd grade. I think it gave a structure to how to get deeper answers on CRs. I will keep updating and we can blog about anything else that is going on in your classrooms. HAPPY SNOW DAY!
We've talked about GIST answers someplace...PD perhaps. I can't remember the GIST...ha! Is this idea just from this book? I've yet to read better answers. I read your summary and struggle so much with writing in front of the students. I draw in front of my students all the time ofcourse, but I think they expect that of me since I'm the art teacher. Any ideas?
Also the chapter copied in the teaming room: does anyone know what book it is from?
i am just trying to see if i can get with it here! i read better answers last year and found it so informational. i think writing/thinking in front of our kids is more powerful than we know. the kids get excited to see our thinking and to help us do it--this book has lots of ways to accomplish this!
hello friends. It has been months since I last blogged. I have not finished Better Answers yet, this is my goal for May. I have purchased Mark Twains for 2008-09, please get with me and check out for the summer. Enjoy May
Ok here I am - 2 days in a row - really fired up about coaching - we spent the day reflecting and setting goals for next year. Mine include concluding cycles better - getting all of us to commit to change, using best practices, 10 min math, etc. Also, need to communicate better with the staff about what I am studying, reading, etc. BACK to Better Answers - I keep going back to GIST or general answers. After students restate the question - allow them the latitude to write a GIST or general answer - the topic sentence of the answer. Give them that, then model and teach them how to go deeper - which is the title of chapter 3 - Use details to Support Your Answer. Now we return to the text. "to do this students require a teacher who demonstrates the process, then carefully provides individual scaffolding that grows out of assessment. A considerable task!" no kidding Most important in this step is the Teacher Think Aloud Strategy. Turn your covert thinking overt by sharing your mind's journey - love that. The chapter goes on to discuss ordering details, and connecting the pieces to form a cohesive whole.
The Answer Sandwich is introduced on p. 33. Good couple of pages on transitions, then The Answer Organizer - more mature than the sandwich. After students become comfortable with the process, they are encouraged to add their own voice.
Wow, this chapter never ends - but good stuff. Another section on whether in our answers we are required to give exact answers or cool and creative fiction. Many times kids do get off topic and start making it up and just need to stick to what is in the text. Staying aware of audience a neat Better Answer Scale (rubric) is on p. 43.
The chapter ends on a discussion of Thick and Thin questions and Petitions - which we might label verbs. What does the question petition that you do - nice list on p. 48. The Petition Framework helps structure thinking so students understand how particular petitions lead quite naturally to related answer avenues. makes sense to me!
Yipee! I am now an official blogger! This just leads me to a thought that has been brewing for about a month. We need to find more ways to really be incorporating more technology into our school (for students and teachers). I have been checking out other school websites across the U.S. and I feel like I am personally lacking in using technology to better my learning/teaching and my student's learning. This blog makes me more excited because it is a giant step in that direction. It also makes me more fired up and challenged to search out and plan more lessons that involve technology of some sorts. Sorry that this didn't pertain to the book, but I just felt like it was something that has been on my mind and i wanted to get it out! :)
15 comments:
I'm not reading Better Answers, but want to!! Is the book available in our professional library?
OK so now that we know this works, we need to get others on board. Is blogging practical for other teachers? We can do a "walk "through" for those intimidated by blogging. I love it!! We are so on the edge!
January 31
4th Installment of Better Answers
A quick review:
Teachers MUST write in front of their students – allow the struggle to be seen and heard
Kids need to learn when to write formally – their work is public – change register of language
Restating the question is like a portal to the answer – no pronouns
Use fairy tales, common stories to practice:
Little Red Riding Hood
The Three Little Pigs
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
The Grasshopper and the Ant
The Lion and the Mouse
The City Mouse and the Country Mouse
Steps in Formula:
1. Restate the question – open or closed restatement
2. Construct a GIST answer, general, topic sentence, main idea
3. Using details to support your answer - Chap 4.- Here we are!
This step unfolds naturally from Step 2, the Gist Answer. The Gist Answer will point the student directly toward the details that will support it- return to the text to search
The Answer Sandwich is introduced in this chapter.
I will see if book is available......i think blogging is very practical.....at own time.....i had a little trouble with my id number....did not want to take it.....maybe one day after school we could meet quickly in computer lab and i will try to mention it at teamings
Had to create an account, so if I have 2 messages show up sorry! This is pretty cool. Would really like to take a look at this book...any ideas on how we can get another copy? What's the cost...maybe I'll just get one!
I like the idea of the blog, now that I am on and signed in! I have enjoyed your summaries Connie. I have tried to use several of the ideas, like the restating the qustion with short questions about fairy tales. (I was surprised that the kids did not know the story of the 3bears.) We have also done "Just say no to pronouns." It would be great to read the book, but I had probably stick to the summaries (I have good intentions, but I always have a hard time keeping up with my reading.)
I am not sure about introducing the gist statement. Maybe soemthing for next year. I am concerned that it is too late in the game this year.
Thanks for stopping by Kim and Trisha. It is a good book and I have read it several times, each time it sinks in a little deeper. I just know Tara Wells swore by it 4 or 5 years ago. She taught 3rd grade. I think it gave a structure to how to get deeper answers on CRs. I will keep updating and we can blog about anything else that is going on in your classrooms. HAPPY SNOW DAY!
We've talked about GIST answers someplace...PD perhaps. I can't remember the GIST...ha! Is this idea just from this book? I've yet to read better answers. I read your summary and struggle so much with writing in front of the students. I draw in front of my students all the time ofcourse, but I think they expect that of me since I'm the art teacher. Any ideas?
Also the chapter copied in the teaming room: does anyone know what book it is from?
i am just trying to see if i can get with it here! i read better answers last year and found it so informational. i think writing/thinking in front of our kids is more powerful than we know. the kids get excited to see our thinking and to help us do it--this book has lots of ways to accomplish this!
hello friends. It has been months since I last blogged. I have not finished Better Answers yet, this is my goal for May. I have purchased Mark Twains for 2008-09, please get with me and check out for the summer. Enjoy May
Ok here I am - 2 days in a row - really fired up about coaching - we spent the day reflecting and setting goals for next year. Mine include concluding cycles better - getting all of us to commit to change, using best practices, 10 min math, etc. Also, need to communicate better with the staff about what I am studying, reading, etc. BACK to Better Answers -
I keep going back to GIST or general answers. After students restate the question - allow them the latitude to write a GIST or general answer - the topic sentence of the answer. Give them that, then model and teach them how to go deeper - which is the title of chapter 3 - Use details to Support Your Answer. Now we return to the text. "to do this students require a teacher who demonstrates the process, then carefully provides individual scaffolding that grows out of assessment. A considerable task!" no kidding
Most important in this step is the Teacher Think Aloud Strategy. Turn your covert thinking overt by sharing your mind's journey - love that. The chapter goes on to discuss ordering details, and connecting the pieces to form a cohesive whole.
The Answer Sandwich is introduced on p. 33. Good couple of pages on transitions, then The Answer Organizer - more mature than the sandwich. After students become comfortable with the process, they are encouraged to add their own voice.
Wow, this chapter never ends - but good stuff. Another section on whether in our answers we are required to give exact answers or cool and creative fiction. Many times kids do get off topic and start making it up and just need to stick to what is in the text. Staying aware of audience a neat Better Answer Scale (rubric) is on p. 43.
The chapter ends on a discussion of Thick and Thin questions and Petitions - which we might label verbs. What does the question petition that you do - nice list on p. 48. The Petition Framework helps structure thinking so students understand how particular petitions lead quite naturally to related answer avenues. makes sense to me!
enjoy the lovely spring weather
Yipee! I am now an official blogger! This just leads me to a thought that has been brewing for about a month. We need to find more ways to really be incorporating more technology into our school (for students and teachers). I have been checking out other school websites across the U.S. and I feel like I am personally lacking in using technology to better my learning/teaching and my student's learning. This blog makes me more excited because it is a giant step in that direction. It also makes me more fired up and challenged to search out and plan more lessons that involve technology of some sorts. Sorry that this didn't pertain to the book, but
I just felt like it was something that has been on my mind and i wanted to get it out! :)
All right you SJSD coaches - we have had 2 PD days dedicated to tech and here is a blog - blog away teacher talk - What is going on?
All right you SJSD coaches - we have had 2 PD days dedicated to tech and here is a blog - blog away teacher talk - What is going on?
All right you SJSD coaches - we have had 2 PD days dedicated to tech and here is a blog - blog away teacher talk - What is going on?
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