The ZPD, as used by AR, is a dishonest bastardization of Vygotsky's work.
It's all about the $. AR has no instructional program, and yet the zone of
proximal development is all about that area between where the child
functions independently and their capacity that can be reached with the help
of an adult. Sound like instructional level to me.
Oh, but I forgot, AR has no instructional component and the books the kids
check out are for independent reading.
And how does AR determine ZPD? With a multiple choice cloze test. Cloze
tests can be wonderful tools, but they are strongest when measuring
vocabulary in a subject area of determining language development of ELL
students. Sadly, too many teachers and librarians abdicate professional
judgement for the quick fix convenience of a STAR test. STAR cannot measure
motivation or areas of interest.
The rights issue is a weak one in schools, unfortunately. However, kids
should be able to make their own reading choices because they are the ones
doing the reading. A child checking out books far above their abilities
will eventually tire of this and move to books they can read.
And what do they do when they leave the school and the rest of the world is
organized by AR colors?
Bob Koreis
Librarian
Hockinson High School
bob.koreis@hock.k12.wa.us
The library is not a shrine for the worship of books. It is not a temple
where literary incense must be burned or where one's devotion to the bound
book is expressed in ritual. A library, to modify the famous metaphor of
Socrates, should be the delivery room for the birth of ideas - a place where
history comes to life. Norman Cousins
-----Original Message-----
From: Janet McCoy <mccoymedia@YAHOO.COM>
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Date: Tue, 2 Oct 2007 16:49:10 -0700
Subject: Target: (Elem) Teachers restricting books
I am so tired of teachers coming into the library and telling students that
they cannot check out certain books because they are not on their reading
level according to one test that was given. Am I wrong or is this
censorship? My principal is strongly for AR and is big on students reading
only books in their ZPD. What can I say to her to convince her that
students need to be free in the library to make their own choices of what to
read and that we are infringing on their rights?
Janet L. McCoy, LMS
McAuliffe Elementary, Tulsa, OK
mccoymedia@yahoo.com
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