Reply to 6th grade benchmark advance

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[quote=Anonymous][quote]Not in my class. Kids weren't reading passages - they were reading whole books under my guidance. That's what book clubs are. They were doing all sorts of writing in response to the books - a variety of creative writing prompts, and they were reading a variety of genres. And Benchmark does not teach children how to think critically about what they read. Some of the questions Benchmark poses (talk with a partner or share with the class) are so obtuse that the kids don't understand what they're being asked to talk about. They just sit there with blank faces because the discussion questions are so meaningless (not all, but some). Whoever wrote Benchmark Advance for 6th grade did not do a good job.[/quote]

Question:  I was a teacher long ago.  I taught when teachers had a lot of autonomy.  Do you have any flexibility in how you use this program?

There was probably not enough supervision when I taught--but I was always blessed to work with very talented teachers who worked very hard.  
From what I am hearing, this program is regimented and leaves little room for teacher innovation.  I guess that is my question--are you allowed to deviate at all?

I love phonics.  I think it is essential.  That said, there are many other tools in the teaching of reading that are needed.  And, there are some kids who really, really struggle with phonics.  That doesn't mean it shouldn't be taught, but they need other tools, too.

The purpose of reading instruction is to teach the children to read and understand.  It seems to me that critical thinking is lacking in this program.
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