Using Multiple DSC Programs

I have had the amazing opportunity to spend twelve days over the past few months in a beautiful little part of New Jersey called Marlboro. The elementary schools in this small district have implemented Making Meaning®, Being a Writer™, and Making Meaning® Vocabulary simultaneously in their schools all in one year. I have been spending my days with the second-grade teachers in these schools and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. These teachers are truly seeing the benefits of the DSC Way. Some of the successes teachers are reporting about the Making Meaning and Making Meaning Vocabulary programs include:

• Students love the literature and are excited to hear the stories read aloud.
• Students are exposed to many different types of literature.
• Students are learning from each other’s thinking.
• Students are becoming metacognitive.
• Students look forward to reading.
• The strategies are taught in context and students are using the strategies in the context of their own reading.
• The structure of the program makes teaching comprehension easy.
• Students use the vocabulary throughout the day and across time.
• Students us the vocabulary in their writing. Students love the vocabulary activities.

Some of the successes teachers are reporting about the Being a Writer program include:

• Students are eager to write.
• Students are using strategies in their writing.
• Students are excited to make books and to work together.
• The program is organized in a way that scaffolds learning gradually.
• Students love the stories.
• The lessons make the kids think.
• Students are writing!
• The program builds confidence and establishes a risk-free environment.
• Students relate to the stories.
• Gives kids the opportunity to write.
• Being a Writer helps students generate ideas and builds intrinsic motivation to write.
• Experiencing good writing has helped students become better writers.

In addition to the academic development, teachers are really excited about the ways in which their students are developing socially and ethically:

• Students are becoming more respectful.
• Students have increased self-esteem.
• Students are not afraid to take risks.
• Students have learned to give each other feedback and have real discussions.
• Students are less inhibited.

It is clear that the teachers in this picturesque little part of New Jersey are experiencing a lot of success with the DSC programs. However, I think the voices of the second graders I talked to on Friday are the most powerful. I asked four different students what they like about writing so far this school year. They said:

• The stories my teacher reads to us gives me ideas.
• The funny stories I write.
• That I learn new things.
• I like everything about writing this year!