**shellybell**

MissMarinaT

You know, it is funny that you say it does not have enough phonics.  I heard that LAUSD is switching from OC to HM for next year.  The teachers argued that it was too much phonics and not enough sight word vocab.  And of course the writing was not strong enough. Personally, I love OC.  But I am totally biased because I worked with them for a couple of summers.

There is a new program out this year called "imagine it".  I was told about it last year by my OC  consultant manager.  Basically it is OC, just revapped.  It is suppose to be easier for the teachers to use.  The writing sections is stronger.  My OC consultant said SRA created it because OC was getting such a bad rap. 

I am really hoping that my school is considering it.  But honestly, I am worried because normally we get to review the possible textbooks.  We have had 3 staff meeting and no text book review yet.  I am hoping we will see some soon.

shellybellmw

When we have an adoption we have a panel of about 20 teachers that choose the program.  We are using HM for LA and Math.  The Math is horrible!  The LA isn't that bad.  We are using the Writing with Craftplus to enhance the HM writing.  The Craftplus writing encorporates a weekly target skill that you build on and it has a lot of fabulous techniques and ideas.  Have you heard of it?  The HM writing just isn't strong and it really shows in their test scores.  I've had to build in my own phonics lessons into HM.  It does have a lot of sight words that go along with their weekly curriculum and it's nice to have.  I've never heard of the "imagine it" program.  Like I said, we are looking at new ELA programs next year and we will recieve the new supplies during the 2010-2011 school year.  I really liked OC because I used it during my student teaching.  It seemed to be a really strong program.

MissMarinaT

I remember that you have HM for math.  I do to.  I have a love/hate relationship with it.  I really like the manipulatives and the circle time... but it is too much for one day.  We are also using TouchMath to enhance basic math skills.  It is a neat program, but I dont have time to teach it.  No with HM.

That is interesting that you have a teacher panel for textbook adoption.  At my school all the teachers have  a say. 

I have not heard of Craftplus Writing.  Right now the teacher do their own writing.  I already know that we are going to have a specific writing instruction that is consistant within the grade level.  My principal has been talking about it for 2 years now.. but he has not had the time to talk to us about it.  We have new standards based reports this year and that has been consuming all the free time.  The principals and mine. But on the cool  side, our report cards are on the computer now.  I am soo happy. 

 

shellybellmw

This is the guide we use for writing:

http://www.amazon.com/Teaching-Youngest-Writers-Practical-Guide/dp/0929895266/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226427208&sr=1-1