Surprise Lake Students Demonstrate

Reading Curriculum to Fife's School Board

At May's School Board meeting, Surprise Lake Middle School students demonstrated how they are making reading more meaningful through engaging group discussions. The students who participated were Nikita R., Janel G., Brandon R., Karson G., Danielle P., Kelsey K., and Elizabeth T..

 

This technique, as described by their teacher:

"The demonstration was meant to show students engaging in meaningful discussions which arise from the stories within the Jr. Great Books series. I'm not certain the demonstration came across well as time was so limited and we didn't get to a place where you could see the kids "get into it." What is fun for me as their teacher is to observe them when they do. The stories are terrific because they are truly well-crafted and compelling---typically not feel-good stories.  Also, the kids look forward to the discussion, so much so that I'm getting kids who typically don't like completing written work to finish it on time so that they may participate in the discussion group."

"I'm seeing my students improve in their ability to articulate their point of view, to feel comfortable doing so--to realize their point of view matters. I'm seeing the big talkers learn to wait for those who are shy and to work at encouraging others to share. I'm listening to them respectfully disagree with each other, and also to modify their views as they listen to each other (this, I think, is really great)." 

"The kids tell me they like the discussions. It's their favorite part of our reading program. I think this is because the issues and characters within the stories are so compelling. My role is to ask the questions--I never answer the questions or offer my opinions. All questions are at the interpretive and evaluative level. We apply facts from the stories to support our interpretations.