Penn State York Summer Institute

Location: Penn State York Summer Institute Discussion Forum

Discussion: Peter Dewitz

Category: Discussion Forum / Keynote Presentations

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juliebwise	Peter Dewitz Jun 12 2011, 10:11 PM EDT Describe the attributes critical to effective differentiated instruction. Post reply Do you find this valuable? Keyword tags: core reading program keynote presentation Peter Dewitz
SlatonM	1. RE: Peter Dewitz Jun 22 2011, 2:38 PM EDT I am so excited to hear Peter speak, he was in my last breakout session - I am already feeling better about my district's new core reading program. THANKS! Post reply Do you find this valuable?
Andreachiccarine	2. RE: Peter Dewitz Jun 22 2011, 2:57 PM EDT Effective differentiated instruction needs to contain a variety of resources. It seems that basals are a bit limited in this area. As a resource a basal reader could be broken apart for whole or small group instruction, but definitely is not the core program. I do not, and have never used a basal in my ten years of teaching thus far. I do agree a new teacher could benefit from it as a resource only though, not as their program... I like the slide that states, "Differentiation of instruction requires attention to time, teaching, texts, and tasks." This is much more than the basal offers. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
shannonomalley	3. RE: Peter Dewitz Jun 22 2011, 2:58 PM EDT Peter was very interesting to hear. I liked the information that he shared on basal readers. I found it interesting when he shared that basal readers do not highlight independent reading because it is something that they cannot sell. He also shared that basal readers don't take into account the fact that students grow and change, and so do their needs. In our district we have Houghton Mifflin, but we are encouraged to only use it as a resource. After hearing Peter speak today, I may use that resource sparingly as I differentiate my teaching to meet all students' needs. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
shannonomalley	4. RE: Peter Dewitz Jun 22 2011, 2:59 PM EDT My first year of teacher, we used Houghton Mifflin and I relied heavily on that as a new teacher. It was comfortable because it was scpripted. I agree with you that I do see the benefits for new teachers. I also agree with you that teaching has to be varied in order to be effective and that the basal should really only be used as a resource, not the core program. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
nancyschnelli	5. RE: Peter Dewitz Jun 22 2011, 3:00 PM EDT Our district got sucked into purchasing a basal program a few years ago. Now I have a better understanding as to how and why we ended up buying it. Thank you for confirming my opinions and knowledge of basal programs. We were even writing our curriculum based on the book. At the same time we had an initiative for UbD. We transferred the basal program into the UbD format! What a waste of time. With a change of administration we have had such a great turn around it is awesome to teach reading. We have rewritten our curriculum (a work in progress) and we now teach reading and writing in the workshop model. It is by far the best way to teach reading and writing. Kids learn to love reading and writing. Post reply 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
Almqukat	6. RE: Peter Dewitz Jun 22 2011, 3:01 PM EDT His knowledge base of basal readers and their background and creation is very impressive. The district I work in currently uses a guided reading/balanced literacy workshop framework and we do not use a basal. I took a graduate class that really pushed the importance of creating reading themes and basal. I struggled with that course and the reasoning presented. I am very pleased with the instruction I am able to provide my students by using the book room and leveled texts etc. I am curious where he will continue to go with his presentation as he continues to speak! Post reply Do you find this valuable?
JulieBeard	7. RE: Peter Dewitz Jun 22 2011, 3:04 PM EDT How surprising to hear him say that the basal program does not allow any "grow space" for students - all lessons have the same components. The only good thing about that is that you could teach the material in any order - there is no room for growth in readers. I was so excited to hear of his 9 step plan to improve instruction! Post reply Do you find this valuable?
jenniferstrobeck	8. RE: Peter Dewitz Jun 22 2011, 3:04 PM EDT I can't believe that most author's of basal programs have little to do with the actual making of a basal program. My district is now using our basal program as a resource instead of a guide to teach reading...thank goodness:) Post reply Do you find this valuable?
kimcanfield	9. RE: Peter Dewitz Jun 22 2011, 3:05 PM EDT I am shocked to hear that the basal authors do not review the lessons that are printed in basals, and that they are truly written by freelancers.! Post reply Do you find this valuable?
rose_spangler	10. RE: Peter Dewitz Jun 22 2011, 3:05 PM EDT New Insights: Cons-Basal reading programs are responding to the market and not the authors. Basals can't sell independent reading and they don't assume that kids change. The program also can't be further ahead than most teachers. Pros-Basals can be good for new teachers and can also provide structure for struggling readers. Looks like my reluctance to heavily use the anthology was a good one. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
CarrieThompson	11. RE: Peter Dewitz Jun 22 2011, 3:06 PM EDT Yikes... I don't know much about basal programs since I teach at the high school level but it seems so important to really do the research and make sure the program is well understood and research based before committing as a school. As with most programs, it's so important to understand how to use them effectively. I do have concerns as my son enters kindergarten next year that his school is using them the correct way! It saddens me to hear about the marketing side of it all... it's really all about money. This should not be. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
carriemarvis	12. RE: Peter Dewitz Jun 22 2011, 3:07 PM EDT "....readers read" is an important thing to remember. We must give students the time and materials in order to do this; otherwise, they will not get better at reading! Post reply 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
KirstyHouck	13. RE: Peter Dewitz Jun 22 2011, 3:07 PM EDT I don't know too much about basal readers so I found it interesting to hear Peter's thoughts on them and the process that is used to create a basal program. I found it interesting to read the quote that "basal readers are more about marketing and advertising than about research." That is a very sad and scary thought. I like that Peter presents his "9 Fixes to Basal Programs" -- too many times people focus on what is wrong rather than what can be done. Practial solutions are always nice to hear and both presenters today have done a great job in providing some solutions. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
lindsaymasenheimer	14. RE: Peter Dewitz Jun 22 2011, 3:08 PM EDT My district is currently going through a shift between using the basal as a core program to using it as a resource. After listening to Peter, I feel great about this shift. Learning about all the "hidden" details about basal programs makes me have little faith in these programs. Districts need to evaluate how they are using these programs and learn to supplement with them versus putting all of their eggs in one basket. The question, " Why would we do what we did in September in May?" really sticks out to me and makes complete sense. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
KristinDonnellyGreen	15. RE: Peter Dewitz Jun 22 2011, 3:08 PM EDT Well I think I c an be very happy my district has spent the last eight years developing a Balanced Literacy framework. Many, many hours have been spent on developing the framework along with a very detailed curriculum map. We were lucky to have several Literature Coaches that were trained by Linda Doorn. That helped with the process. Linda Doorn even spent time visiting our district. She spent time in the classrooms and with administrators. I feel VERY good about Dallastown's approach to teaching Language Arts! Post reply Do you find this valuable?
dianeromig	16. RE: Peter Dewitz Jun 22 2011, 3:08 PM EDT \| Post edited: Jun 22 2011, 3:14 PM EDT Peter had a thorough knowledge about Basal Readers. We have used our basal anthologies as a base for whole group instruction along with DI activities, however, we have moved to reading and writing workshops, along with conferencing and mentor texts with mini-lessons.We break into small groups for skills or instruction. We are moving to a three tier model and flexible grouping. Our read alouds and mentor texts are actual trade books, modeling good reading and thinking. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
LonaKluttz	17. RE: Peter Dewitz Jun 22 2011, 3:09 PM EDT The fact that our basal (not core) reading program is not actually research-based is incredible. Peter Dewitz is really shedding light on information that we teachers most likely have no experience with--the marketing and actual production process of these programs. So...it seems very ironic that our district purchased a basal program with the hopes that it being research-based will help us to get on board the RTI train. I just wonder how these companies can promote and sell a program as research-based, when it is actually not? Furthermore, how do we well-educated individuals not know this? Post reply Do you find this valuable?
jillamspacher	18. RE: Peter Dewitz Jun 22 2011, 3:09 PM EDT Two years ago my district adopted the Storytown curriculum. I am seeing many of the limitations he is discussing. I am glad to be hearing ways to help me use the basal reader/scripted to my benefit. I have been looking for ways to make it my own. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
nancyschnelli	19. RE: Peter Dewitz Jun 22 2011, 3:09 PM EDT "His knowledge base of basal readers and their background and creation is very impressive. The district I work in currently uses a guided reading/balanced literacy workshop framework and we do not use a basal. I took a graduate class that really pushed the importance of creating reading themes and basal. I struggled with that course and the reasoning presented. I am very pleased with the instruction I am able to provide my students by using the book room and leveled texts etc. I am curious where he will continue to go with his presentation as he continues to speak! " What graduate course was it that you took that supported themes and basal reading! I can't believe that a course now would do this. I can understand your confusion. I can bet that there is no research (quality) that says basal programs make better readers. Relax. What you are doing makes much more sense. Post reply Do you find this valuable?