Hearing from Teachers

Why does everything have to be a "program"???  Why can't teachers believe in themselves and use their own knowledge base to plan what to do next based on their own assessment of children?

Response: I agree with you. That's why I often hesitate about these "programs." For example, Nancy Atwell's Lessons that Teach Writers (I think that's the name. It's one of the Heinemann "programs" is a different format from her book, In the Middle.) If you've read her book then you don't necessarily need the "program." However, what's appealing to teachers is that you have all the forms and lessons that you need right there rather than having to create them yourself. I think the publisher shouldn't sell you the "program" until you've read the book that it is based on! I also base these recommendations on who the author(s) is(are). I respect Fletcher and Portalupi's work and so I would recommend their "program" though I doubt that is how they look at it.

Response: I agree with you and all the "programs" we're bombarded with. However, these "programs"(TQW, Lucy Calkins' Units of Primary Writing etc.) are less like the typical programs I think you're referring to. I'm in my 4th year and the minilessons, language and sidenotes that Lucy shares in her Units... have been helpful in organizing my thoughts and planning. The difference here is that these are not scripted and sequential in that you must follow the pacing guide. There is a lot of room for teacher decision making.

Response: I'm very familiar with Lucy C. "program" and I agree that it leaves room for decision making. I spent a week at her writing seminar at Columbia a few years ago, and she is the BEST! If you ever get a chance, you must go!! BUT, it even bothers me that people like her, Ralph Fletcher and others have to "sell" their beliefs as a "program" in order for school systems, (some) to even consider them. If teachers read professionally, attend conferences, read professional journals, constantly consider themselves learners, and build their knowledge base, then that "program" money could be spent on books for children to read and therefore, combined with knowledgeable teachers receive more informed instruction. That's how I have come to feel and have done during my 37 years as a teacher, coach, and other education positions.

I do agree that those are better than the "scripted" programs, but still bothers me that people have to rely on the word "program" to give what they do credibility. As a young teacher (as my daughter is), you're the ones we are counting on to stand up for what is right for children, based on being able to tell WHY you do what you do and justify it to anyone who comes in the door!! That won't always make you popular, but you'll be teaching the way children learn and making the world a better place for kids!!

Response: And here's to add to our discussion regarding "programs." Again, I think that the authors speak for themselves.

January 2005