When I began reading the introduction to this book, I was thinking WOW wouldn't our jobs be easier if we would only focus on the 3 simple things that Schmoker says is essential for all schools. We wouldn't be bogged down with all of the "other" things that end up taking so much of our valuable classtime.
As I moved into chapter one, the 3 elements that each school should focus on:
**What we teach (content rich curriculum)
**How we teach (sound lessons)
**Authentic Literacy (purposeful reading, writing, and talking)
would redefine what can be accomplished by public schools seems so basic and simple. Why is it not being done?
I enjoyed the analogy of the football team where the coaches consistantly were trying new plays weekly to create that winning team instead of working on the core fundamentals. I feel in education today that we easily fall into that same trap of trying to fix the problem or keep up with the latest trend with new ideas/initatives instead of focusing on root of the problem. Do we ask ourselves; are we teaching content rich curriculum, good sound lessons, and provide authentic literacy? These answers could be the "game changing difference" for the education of our students.
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