Kelly's+Portfolio+Assessed

Dear Kelly: Your insight into the writing process and the need for “authentic writing” is exceptional. You show your consciousness of process and style in your literacy memoir, your style guide ( thought this was hilarious, as well as insightful), and in your unit plan on persuasive writing which results in a PSA. The PSA is a good example of persuasive writing that integrates multi-modal elements such as oral graphic symbols. You report examples of your pedagogy, without actually explaining why the practices are important. For example you say. “ lectures are inevitable, comprehension assessments necessary” Why? Well, direct instruction offers the principles for a reading or writing practice and comprehension puts meaning before structure or form—emphasizing the content first, then the form. You also recommend the “Teacher Vision” approach to reading. Why? Probably because students who can articulate their reading process will have more self-control of it. But you don’t say this. My one reservation about the Teacher Vision approach is how it may disrupt reading and engagement. I think students should read a text multiple times: first to get the meaning and ask questions, then to describe their reading technique, then to reflect on the technique. Students should not be interrupted while reading, because it discourages immersion in the text. I like the language component added to your unit, except that the web site that describes language strategies does not offer examples of these strategies, which are crucial. You do not articulate the requirements for Standard English in your classroom. When will you allow home or native language? When will you require Standard English? These statements are important to your ELA methodology. Your reflections, unit plans and assessments are methodologically sound, but you are not clear about explaining why. The Reflective Letter could be more reflective. 68/70