Notes from 3/23/12 Book Club

QUESTIONS
1. In your opinion what was the best strategy and why (Questions Game)? Do you think that the “questions game” is a realistic approach? (p33-34)
We felt the best strategy was the Questions Game, however we had some proposed changes. There were too many written steps, and maybe not enough student questions for group work. Does it take a whole class period? We would cut out some parts, like the class discussion. Students can answer each others questions and work together. We definitely feel that it is a realistic approach.

2. The role of classroom conversation is one of the most critical factors in supporting comprehension (p32) Do you agree with this statement?
Yes! We all completely agree with this statement. Classroom discussions provide for deeper understanding, not just learning. Also, students are able to teach each other during discussions.

3. Christine’s journal: Natalia just wanted to get out of school and get married boys were the main topic in her life. Natalia found a connection when they were studying women’s lives in the 1700s. it made Christine realize what it would take for her students to connect to history (p32-33) ----- What will you do in your classroom to connect history and texts to the lives of the students?
We thought that social networking, like twitter and blogs, and using current events would be a way to connect history and texts to the lives of students.

4. Who should teach comprehension?
All teachers are responsible for teaching comprehension. 

5. Are any of these methods used in your CPDs?
We have seen between the four of us: narrative texts, graphic organizers, and functional texts.


Connection: Chapter 2 connects to the other Allen reading (for a dialogue journal). It discusses vocabulary, and memorization. It stressed that students need to have a firm grasp on content vocabulary, and that it is important to record difficult vocabulary words in order to retain meaning in content specific language. Also, students should apply, explain, and illustrate this language in their lives.