Maestra Teacher
  • Blog
  • About Me

Dat workshop model 

9/20/2015

8 Comments

 
This week my blog post is late because I didn't know where to begin. I've been thinking obsessively about the workshop model. 

The workshop model, the brainchild of Lucy Caulkins and Carmen Farina, is new for us at my school. Some time last year it was decided that this model was the right one to address our sliding state test scores and our "changing demographic". First, our faculty meetings started following this format. 

The idea is that the teacher acts as more of a facilitator, getting students started thinking at the beginning of class with an activator, then teaching the material for the day in a mini-lesson, then providing work time for students to hash it out in groups. At the end of the class, the teacher does a formal or informal check-in with the class. Each component has a recommended amount of time attached to it. 

At the beginning of the year, I embraced the idea of adopting this model. One, because there was no choice. Two, I was trying to stay optimistic. At the start of week 4 of school, though, as I become more familiar with the model, my doubts are growing. This is not a criticism of our coaches, or of our principal. I just think we need to approach using any kind of model critically.  

Here are the pros I have found so far: 
- provides structure 
- good especially for beginning teachers
- students know what to expect in each class

The cons: 
- a model that works best for ELA
- I find it very rigid (what if one day you want to extend your lesson beyond the 10-15 minutes recommended?) and scripted. 
- not great for beginning ELL students
- patronizing for experienced teachers

In the workshop model, the work session consists of students figuring things out mostly in groups. My ELL students, especially when they first arrive in the U.S., are not accustomed to working in groups and helping each other. Whether I put them in cross-language or same-language groups, so far I have had limited success. On Friday, one of my students ended up not speaking to her partner, and another one ended up in tears. I don't think they shouldn't ever work in groups, but I do think it's a skill they have to learn - little by little. 

We are, of course, not even at the end of September. Maybe as the teachers at my school get more used to the model, and if we are able to discuss ideas that worked with each other, and if we are given time to figure it out ourselves, AND if we are able to reflect on it as a faculty to decide if it is working or not ....then MAYBE it will be the right model for us.

Trying to stay optimistic. Thoughts?

The NYC public school system adopted this model in 2004. Here is more information, and a critique, of it: 
http://lizditz.typepad.com/i_speak_of_dreams/2005/09/the_workshop_mo.html
8 Comments
Catherine Keppler
9/20/2015 07:54:11 pm

Well said! My optimism extends to the hope that there will be flexibility. Used with teacher discretion, the model has many good points. Applied rigidly, it's not useful, and it's insulting to teachers. I'm not going to call what I do a "mini lesson"!

Reply
Corina
9/20/2015 09:10:30 pm

"Maybe as the teachers at my school get more used to the model, and if we are able to discuss ideas that worked with each other, and if we are given time to figure it out ourselves, AND if we are able to reflect on it as a faculty to decide if it is working or not ....then MAYBE it will be the right model for us." Exactly. Let us know!

Reply
Alicia Lopez
9/20/2015 09:24:00 pm

I will!

Reply
Alicia Lopez
9/20/2015 09:25:20 pm

Agreed about the flexibility piece!

Reply
Joan wink link
9/21/2015 08:30:23 am

I have repeatedly heard these same concerns from teachers. Your blog is perfect for a class I am teaching right now, as a few of the teachers have been struggling with which model to follow. I am sharing your blog tomorrow in class. Thank you, Joan

Reply
Alicia Lopez
9/21/2015 09:43:46 pm

Glad to hear it! Let me know what your students' thoughts are if you can, I'm curious! Thanks for reading!

Reply
Jennifer Welborn
9/22/2015 01:57:36 am

There is a reason why I am replying to this at 1:52 a.m. It is bothering the hell out of me.. the rigidity of the workshop model, that is... not Alicia's blog post. Everything she said is spot on and I feel insulted pretty much daily by the presumption that I bring nothing to the teaching profession after nearly 30 years and that this model will be the solution to very complex issues such as kids being hungry every day. I need sleep but I am glad to have read this as I know there are people out there, very, very gifted and seasoned teachers who are craftspeople and artists with a wealth of experience who need to be valued for the professionals that they are. Alicia, thank you for all you do both in the class, and at school and on this blog... XOXOX

Reply
Alicia Lopez
9/22/2015 03:47:52 pm

Thanks for your comment! It sucks that you were up at that time of night. Here's hoping we can come to an understanding that is tenable for all.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Archives

    September 2021
    June 2021
    March 2021
    January 2021
    October 2020
    September 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014

    RSS Feed

    View my profile on LinkedIn
Proudly powered by Weebly
Photo used under Creative Commons from Prayitno / Thank you for (11 millions +) views
  • Blog
  • About Me