Comments for Pennington Publishing Blog http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog Teaching resources to differentiate instruction. Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:38:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Comment on The 18 Reasons Not to Use Accelerated Reader by Christine Rinehart http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/the-18-reasons-not-to-use-accelerated-reader/comment-page-2/#comment-46506 Christine Rinehart Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:38:05 +0000 http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/?p=1257#comment-46506 I wonder if there is any educational tool that cannot be used either for good or for evil? I, too, have seen AR used in the most demeaning and hurtful ways- both for kids who loved to read and those who hated it. But it can also be done well. The problem is not the AR program itself but in its implementation. I am just at the start of implementing it into my 3rd district. In the first I was a high school classroom teacher so had complete control of the program. Next I was the LMS in the 4-6th and 9-12 grade buildings of my district. Less control over the high school policies led to implementation there with which I was not pleased. But in the 4-6th building implementation was voluntary, individualized, and within 3 years I had won over the students, the skeptics, and even the teachers providing special education services. It is true, NO child should be made to feel bad about participating. It should not be one more thing a student cannot be successful at, one more treat or party missed, one more way to "let down" the rest of the class. A pencil can be used to create beautiful literature but it can also be used to poke someone in the eye. The trick is to not allow ANY of the tools (no such thing as a perfect "fix") be used to poke someone in the eye. I wonder if there is any educational tool that cannot be used either for good or for evil? I, too, have seen AR used in the most demeaning and hurtful ways- both for kids who loved to read and those who hated it. But it can also be done well. The problem is not the AR program itself but in its implementation. I am just at the start of implementing it into my 3rd district. In the first I was a high school classroom teacher so had complete control of the program. Next I was the LMS in the 4-6th and 9-12 grade buildings of my district. Less control over the high school policies led to implementation there with which I was not pleased. But in the 4-6th building implementation was voluntary, individualized, and within 3 years I had won over the students, the skeptics, and even the teachers providing special education services. It is true, NO child should be made to feel bad about participating. It should not be one more thing a student cannot be successful at, one more treat or party missed, one more way to “let down” the rest of the class.

A pencil can be used to create beautiful literature but it can also be used to poke someone in the eye. The trick is to not allow ANY of the tools (no such thing as a perfect “fix”) be used to poke someone in the eye.

]]> Comment on The 18 Reasons Not to Use Accelerated Reader by Mark Pennington http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/the-18-reasons-not-to-use-accelerated-reader/comment-page-2/#comment-46303 Mark Pennington Thu, 26 Apr 2012 03:12:31 +0000 http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/?p=1257#comment-46303 This one breaks my heart. As a reading specialist I cringe at how this will affect her lifelong attitudes about reading. As a parent, I question the judgment and compassion of your child's teachers and the culture/messages they have established at your child's school. So sorry. This one breaks my heart. As a reading specialist I cringe at how this will affect her lifelong attitudes about reading. As a parent, I question the judgment and compassion of your child’s teachers and the culture/messages they have established at your child’s school. So sorry.

]]> Comment on The 18 Reasons Not to Use Accelerated Reader by Kjay http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/the-18-reasons-not-to-use-accelerated-reader/comment-page-2/#comment-46241 Kjay Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:34:03 +0000 http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/?p=1257#comment-46241 I agree with much of this article but for different reasons. My daughter has a reading disability (she is in third grade) so meeting the AR criteria takes alot of effort, she plays catch-up sometimes at the end of the month, missing recess, so she can meet her requirements. We spend at least 20 minutes a night on reading (which is not alot, but this is after she has spent over an hour doing the other homework she has) plus she has been pulled out of class to read during the day and she is so tired of reading by the time we get to it. She had to miss out on enjoying an ice-cream social earlier this year. She got to go but was only allowed one topping because she was behind in her AR reading when other kids got lots of toppings. Plus today she is missing a pizza party that they are giving to children who know their times table, she has been working on these now, but this is after she got caught up on her AR reading. I know reading is important, but a child should not be made to feel bad because she has a reading disability and this program does that. Also, my daughter said she would like to use a new bookmark she got, I told her she would have to wait until we could read a book that we didnt have to finish in one night and take a test the next day. She cannot even enjoy reading it has to all revolve around AR. I agree with much of this article but for different reasons. My daughter has a reading disability (she is in third grade) so meeting the AR criteria takes alot of effort, she plays catch-up sometimes at the end of the month, missing recess, so she can meet her requirements. We spend at least 20 minutes a night on reading (which is not alot, but this is after she has spent over an hour doing the other homework she has) plus she has been pulled out of class to read during the day and she is so tired of reading by the time we get to it. She had to miss out on enjoying an ice-cream social earlier this year. She got to go but was only allowed one topping because she was behind in her AR reading when other kids got lots of toppings. Plus today she is missing a pizza party that they are giving to children who know their times table, she has been working on these now, but this is after she got caught up on her AR reading. I know reading is important, but a child should not be made to feel bad because she has a reading disability and this program does that. Also, my daughter said she would like to use a new bookmark she got, I told her she would have to wait until we could read a book that we didnt have to finish in one night and take a test the next day. She cannot even enjoy reading it has to all revolve around AR.

]]> Comment on Why We Don’t Teach Grammar by Laura http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/grammar_mechanics/six-reasons-why-we-don%e2%80%99t-teach-grammar/comment-page-1/#comment-46213 Laura Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:15:14 +0000 http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/?p=1077#comment-46213 I spent over 10 years going to school in the United States. They barely mentioned a thing about grammar! For the past two years I have been studying abroad (in Spain). Everybody is obligated to take English (as a foreign language). That includes me. At first I thought it would be easy, but then I found myself questioning myself about even the most basic grammar exercises. I had never heard of anything grammar related. My classmates would ask me "Why do you have to write/say it like this?". Sadly, I could only say "I don't know why, I just know that it's correct." Thanks to studying abroad, I now have a better understanding of my mother tongue. I just can't believe I had to move to Spain to find that out. Knowing English grammar has also helped me learn three other languages. I think that grammar is very useful. I don't understand why they don't teach it! I spent over 10 years going to school in the United States. They barely mentioned a thing about grammar! For the past two years I have been studying abroad (in Spain). Everybody is obligated to take English (as a foreign language). That includes me. At first I thought it would be easy, but then I found myself questioning myself about even the most basic grammar exercises. I had never heard of anything grammar related. My classmates would ask me “Why do you have to write/say it like this?”. Sadly, I could only say “I don’t know why, I just know that it’s correct.” Thanks to studying abroad, I now have a better understanding of my mother tongue. I just can’t believe I had to move to Spain to find that out. Knowing English grammar has also helped me learn three other languages. I think that grammar is very useful. I don’t understand why they don’t teach it!

]]> Comment on How to Teach Thesis Statements by Erica http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/writing/how-to-teach-thesis-statements/comment-page-1/#comment-45476 Erica Thu, 19 Apr 2012 22:59:31 +0000 http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/?p=1142#comment-45476 These are well-written and useful tips. Thank you! These are well-written and useful tips. Thank you!

]]> Comment on The 18 Reasons Not to Use Accelerated Reader by Laura http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/the-18-reasons-not-to-use-accelerated-reader/comment-page-2/#comment-45208 Laura Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:46:57 +0000 http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/?p=1257#comment-45208 I do not believe I missed the point of your article. I just disagree with your reasons. I believe the benefits of the AR program far outweigh the drawbacks. It would be great if every kid had parents or anyone that would spend 20-30 minutes reading with and discussing books the child is reading each night, along with their other homework, but a good portion of students do not and will not ever receive this. The AR program provides simplified help for both children who have the support and those that do not. Children with supportive parents can easily use the AR program, although actually it won't matter very much for those children what independent reading program chosen, they'll be successful because they already have the key to independent reading...adults that are home and will promote it at home on their own. Sadly, it is "good old-fashioned" reading....and our society has and is moving further away from this kind of home life. The AR reading program has made itself good money because it has developed a system that if used as designed (and not misused) helps monitor, promote, and reward independent reading. I don't believe their is anything wrong with making money with a good idea. <a href="#comment-44550" rel="nofollow">@Mark Pennington</a> I do not believe I missed the point of your article. I just disagree with your reasons. I believe the benefits of the AR program far outweigh the drawbacks. It would be great if every kid had parents or anyone that would spend 20-30 minutes reading with and discussing books the child is reading each night, along with their other homework, but a good portion of students do not and will not ever receive this. The AR program provides simplified help for both children who have the support and those that do not. Children with supportive parents can easily use the AR program, although actually it won’t matter very much for those children what independent reading program chosen, they’ll be successful because they already have the key to independent reading…adults that are home and will promote it at home on their own. Sadly, it is “good old-fashioned” reading….and our society has and is moving further away from this kind of home life. The AR reading program has made itself good money because it has developed a system that if used as designed (and not misused) helps monitor, promote, and reward independent reading. I don’t believe their is anything wrong with making money with a good idea. @Mark Pennington

]]> Comment on Essay Comment Excuses by Mark Pennington http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/grammar_mechanics/essay-comment-excuses/comment-page-1/#comment-45111 Mark Pennington Tue, 17 Apr 2012 02:57:57 +0000 http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/?p=2406#comment-45111 I have quite a few college professors using my Pennington Manual of Style and the 438 essay e-comments. I have quite a few college professors using my Pennington Manual of Style and the 438 essay e-comments.

]]> Comment on Essay Comment Excuses by Conor http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/grammar_mechanics/essay-comment-excuses/comment-page-1/#comment-45020 Conor Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:46:13 +0000 http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/?p=2406#comment-45020 Do you have suggestions for college-level first-year writing composition essay comments? Do you have suggestions for college-level first-year writing composition essay comments?

]]> Comment on The 18 Reasons Not to Use Accelerated Reader by Mark Pennington http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/the-18-reasons-not-to-use-accelerated-reader/comment-page-2/#comment-44550 Mark Pennington Fri, 13 Apr 2012 00:28:24 +0000 http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/?p=1257#comment-44550 Laura, I think you miss the point. It's not that independent reading is not valued; it's how we go about encouraging this practice that is important. AR is not the only motivational method to encourage independent reading, nor is it the best program for accountability or sustained reading growth. Its drawbacks outweigh its benefits. Nor do we have to go back to book reports, dioramas, or the like (an either-or fallacy, by the way). Good old-fashioned reading at a 5% unknown word recognition level for 20-30 minutes per night and discuss with parents (younger kids) or social media/book clubs (older kids) provides all the accountability and comprehension/vocabulary development we need. Oh... and it promotes internal monitoring of text and critical thinking. And just maybe a lifelong love of reading for reading's sake. Laura,

I think you miss the point. It’s not that independent reading is not valued; it’s how we go about encouraging this practice that is important. AR is not the only motivational method to encourage independent reading, nor is it the best program for accountability or sustained reading growth. Its drawbacks outweigh its benefits.
Nor do we have to go back to book reports, dioramas, or the like (an either-or fallacy, by the way).
Good old-fashioned reading at a 5% unknown word recognition level for 20-30 minutes per night and discuss with parents (younger kids) or social media/book clubs (older kids) provides all the accountability and comprehension/vocabulary development we need. Oh… and it promotes internal monitoring of text and critical thinking. And just maybe a lifelong love of reading for reading’s sake.

]]> Comment on The 18 Reasons Not to Use Accelerated Reader by Laura http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/reading/the-18-reasons-not-to-use-accelerated-reader/comment-page-2/#comment-44543 Laura Thu, 12 Apr 2012 22:42:32 +0000 http://penningtonpublishing.com/blog/?p=1257#comment-44543 I agree with the comment that these reasons are based on incidents where the system has been misused. I am a classroom teacher of second graders and also a mother of five children who are all avid readers. I have seen way more positive results with AR than the few negative results that come from misuse of the system by some. As cited, an AR test can be made for any book. In our district if there are books that need a test, we have several people designated to make them. The only limit on AR books is the program not being fully utilized. My experience with the AR program is that it gives students the incentive to read more and it helps teachers be able to monitor whether reading goes on beyond their classroom. The bottom line is that if we want to get better at anything, we've got to practice. The more students read, the better they become at reading. I've witnessed it over and over and over. If they aren't reading outside the classroom, they seldom progress at reading very well. I have witnessed parents of students struggling with reading get on board with AR reading and watched by year's end those below grade level students come up to grade level by being able to read and be rewarded for books they like to read. I grew up having to do book reports on just about everything I read outside of class some years. I would have much rather taken a little comprehension test and build up points I'm rewarded for! I agree with the comment that these reasons are based on incidents where the system has been misused. I am a classroom teacher of second graders and also a mother of five children who are all avid readers. I have seen way more positive results with AR than the few negative results that come from misuse of the system by some. As cited, an AR test can be made for any book. In our district if there are books that need a test, we have several people designated to make them. The only limit on AR books is the program not being fully utilized. My experience with the AR program is that it gives students the incentive to read more and it helps teachers be able to monitor whether reading goes on beyond their classroom. The bottom line is that if we want to get better at anything, we’ve got to practice. The more students read, the better they become at reading. I’ve witnessed it over and over and over. If they aren’t reading outside the classroom, they seldom progress at reading very well. I have witnessed parents of students struggling with reading get on board with AR reading and watched by year’s end those below grade level students come up to grade level by being able to read and be rewarded for books they like to read. I grew up having to do book reports on just about everything I read outside of class some years. I would have much rather taken a little comprehension test and build up points I’m rewarded for!

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