LM_NET 06/22/97: No Subject

From: mary thermos <thermosm@TREVIAN.NEWTRIER.K12.IL.US>
Dear LM_NET,
        I have a dilemma and I would like your input.  If any of your
districts have had and equitably solved this problem, I would like to
hear how you dealt with it.  Also, I would like to see any grade level
lists that have been developed.
        Most of the language arts teachers in our district are teaching
some form of whole language/literature based instruction.  Middle school
teachers purchase (some district $ and in some cases personal $)
classroom sets of books only to discover that half or more of the
students have already read the book as a class book.  Or, teachers will
try to use the book and then find out that most of the kids heard it
read aloud in previous years.  Some lower grade teachers fail to see
this as a problem and do not know how frustrated the children are by
this situation.  This week the intermediate and middle school members of
our Language Arts Curriculum Committee have agreed to develop a grade
level list to reserve certain books for specific grades.
        I am a member of the committee and the teachers have made it
clear that my expertise is needed in the grade book designation of books
and for knowing who teaches what when.  I have already shared the ideas
of differences in a book's listening levels, concept levels, reading
levels, etc. as why people see the same book as "best for their grade".
We also intend to consider grade level curriculum in these decisions.
          The committee has some ideas on how we are going to go about
this.  We wish to be fair and do what is best for the kids.  This is
still a tense situation.  Any suggestions for such sticky negotiations?
Please send me your district's "restricted list" if you
have one.
TIA!

Deb Logan
Head Middle School Librarian/Media Specialist
Marion City Schools
Marion, OH
jd3logan@bright.net
Subject: holiday websites

Greetings!!
        I am working on a project that focuses on gathering great web sites
for both teachers and students.  I am searching for holiday sites in
particular, and would welcome any suggestions from you (perhaps your top
five?).
Please e-mail me directly.
                TIA,
                Mary Thermos

Mary Thermos
McKenzie Elementary
Wilmette, Il
thermosm@trevian.newtrier.k12.il.us