Jackie,
I was very pleased to learn about your success in getting students to find
enjoyment in reading. In the CWL Adult Diploma Program the first class is
English, and students are required to read a short novel. In the past we
have chosen "Lilies of the Field". They discussed it in class, were given
quizzes, and asked to write essays on particular subjects. Afterwards they
were asked to write a book report on a novel of their choice. Many picked "
A Perfect Storm" and "The Joy Luck Club". Prior to reading "Lilies of the
Field", most students had never read a novel in English. I believe these
assignments prepared them for work in the later courses.
Lloyd


Lloyd David, EdD.
Creative Workplace Learning
311 Washington Street
Brighton, MA 02135
Tel :  617-783-6360 
FAX: 617-782-0136

-----Original Message-----
From: assessment-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:assessment-bounces at nifl.gov] On
Behalf Of Jackie Coelho
Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 7:19 AM
To: The Assessment Discussion List
Subject: [Assessment 1031] Re: GED Discussion - what you need to know!

Shirley, I agree that an enjoyment of reading is the first step. I have been
reading small novels with my Pre-GED level students for three years now. And
when we finish one book, they are always quick to ask what the next will be.
They really enjoy spending time discussing the characters, the issues and
relating all to themselves. Last week we read a text that explains in detail
why leaves change color and then fall off. The next day a student told me
she had never looked at fall foliage the way she does now.
If a student enjoys reading or sees a real purpose to it, he or she does it
more than willingly.
Jackie

On 10/29/07, shirley ledet <msledet at yahoo.com> wrote:

> I agree, however by the time I students get to us they need a reason 

> to read. Discussion brings an interest and desire to read. When very 

> young children are given that desire because of the way it is 

> introduced.  the desire build, the cognitive recognition of reading, 

> thoughts, imagination and pleasure are place in the lexicon and 

> "walaa" you have a reader. When this is not done, the students sees 

> reading as a means to end and therefore drudgery. Telling a students 

> to read whose mantra has become "I hate reading" " I was never good at 

> reading" "I always fail reading" is pointless.  We must awaken the 

> desire and the learning will come. With joy.....most of the time.

> Shirley

>

>

> Wendy Quinones <teacherwendyq at gmail.com> wrote:

> Actually, all of the GED tests are reading -- even math for the most part.

> I think Mary Lynn is right on!

>

> On 10/26/07, Mary Lynn Simons <macsimoin at hotmail.com> wrote:

> >

> > Three of the GED tests are reading. If the teacher is talking a lot 

> > and if

> students are talking a lot, students are not reading. Reading is a skill.

> The reason most people read poorly is that they don't read much. The 

> reason people type poorly is that they don't type; the reason people 

> do not play the guitar well is that they don't play, and on and on and 

> on. I say, "Shut up and read."

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ________________________________> Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2007

> 15:39:46 -0400> From: tborge at bhcc.mass.edu> To: assessment at nifl.gov >

> Subject: [Assessment 1002] Re: GED Discussion - what you need to 

> know!>> When we are referring to creativity do we mean teaching 

> critical thinking skills which once our students know how to think in 

> a critical thinking way they will be successful in achieving their

education and other life goals.

> However, just like K-12 education, adult education is captured on the 

> high stakes spinning wheel of accountability which stifles creativity 

> and teachers teach to the test.> Toni Borge> BHCC> Adult Education & 

> Transitions

> Program> Boston, MA> ________________________________>

> From: assessment-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:assessment-bounces at nifl.gov] 

> On Behalf Of shirley ledet> Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2007 4:30 PM> 

> To: The Assessment Discussion List> Subject: [Assessment 1001] Re: GED 

> Discussion - what you need to know!> I agree that creativity is not 

> the enemy of success on standardized test. We need look no further 

> then those who have been successful on any type of test. We tend to 

> use terms like natuarally gifted, just smart, etc. If you speak to 

> these folks they are well rounded, enjoy reading, mvies, theater, they 

> tend to use terms like "I don't know, I just know stuff." Researchers 

> have found that this may be the reason for disparity between 

> ethnicity. I believe there is more disparity between socio economic 

> background then ethnicity. Exposure to the arts, banking industry, 

> faculty, medicine, legal issues as part of your everyday life tends to 

> offer more of an advantage when testing then someone whose only 

> exposure is to go to school and study hard. My students participate in a

quite a few creative projects and those that "get into it" tend to do better
in all subjects.

> Those that feel it is a waste of time and they just want to "study for 

> the GED" are generally frustrated when "all of their hard work does 

> not pay off like they would like." Creativity also leads to retention; 

> especially those activities that have to be completed in increments. 

> Let's bring on more creativity!> Shirley Ledet> GED Instructor> 

> NHC-Carver> djrosen at comcast.net wrote:> Colleagues,> I am a proponent 

> of creativity in adult literacy education -- indeed in all education. 

> As Marc Tucker, President of the National Center for Education and the 

> Economy, has said in a presention recently to the National Commission 

> on Adult Literacy, http://www.caalusa.org/video/choices.html , the U.S.

> education system -- and he includes adult education, cannot be 

> competitive without high academic standards AND creativity.> But many 

> GED teachers and administrators believe that their students will not 

> pass the GED unless they focus on skills and knowledge needed to pass 

> the test, that creativity is a "distraction" and a time-waster. (Many 

> K-12 teachers, administrators or policy makers also believe creativity 

> distracts from passing high stakes

> tests.) I hate to be the one to raise this issue, but it's the key 

> question on the minds of many GED teachers and administrators, so I 

> invite the panelists to address it.> Is creativity a distraction or is 

> it essential for success? Why?> David J. Rosen> djrosen at comcast.net> 

> -------------- Original message ----------------------> From: "Marie 

> Cora">> Hi everyone,>>>> We've had several new subscribers over the 

> past day, and so I wanted to>> give a quick reminder where you can get 

> the information on this>> discussion. For the full announcement, 

> information on guests, and>> suggested resources go to:>>>> 

> http://www.nifl.gov/lincs/discussions/assessment/07creativityGED.html>

> >>> If you missed the posts from yesterday - there were a couple - you 

> can>> catch up in the archives at:>> 

> http://www.nifl.gov/pipermail/assessment/2007/date.html>>>>

> Please post your questions and also your own experiences to share 

> now!>>>> Thanks!!>>>> Marie Cora>> Assessment Discussion List 

> Moderator>>>>>>>>>> Marie Cora>> marie.cora at hotspurpartners.com>> NIFL 

> Assessment Discussion List Moderator>> 

> http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/assessment >>>>> From:

> "Marie Cora"> To:> Subject: [Assessment 942] GED Discussion - what you 

> need to know!> Date: Tue, 9 Oct 2007 14:43:14 +0000> Hi everyone,> 

> We've had several new subscribers over the past day, and so I wanted 

> to give a quick reminder where you can get the information on this 

> discussion. For the full announcement, information on guests, and 

> suggested resources go to:> 

> http://www.nifl.gov/lincs/discussions/assessment/07creativityGED.html>

> If you missed the posts from yesterday – there were a couple – you can 

> catch up in the archives at:

> http://www.nifl.gov/pipermail/assessment/2007/date.html>

> Please post your questions and also your own experiences to share 

> now!> Thanks!!> Marie Cora> Assessment Discussion List Moderator> 

> Marie Cora> marie.cora at hotspurpartners.com> NIFL Assessment Discussion 

> List Moderator> http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/assessment >

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