Shades of Meaning: Comprehension and Interpretation in Middle School

by Donna Santman

Interpreting texts can lead readers on journeys that change their lives forever. However, many middle school studentsunused to looking between the lines, unused to building or amending their readings of a textneed your guidance as they learn to develop and discuss their own interpretations. In this smart and lively guide, veteran middle-school teacher Donna Santman shows you how to teach readers the skills and strategies of comprehension and interpretation within the framework of a reading workshop. Shades of Meaning takes you through Santman's own rigorous workshop, describing the teaching that allows students to stretch and empower their imaginations. Santman offers guidance With Donna Santman's assistance, you can teach readers the interpretive skills they need to help them find a foothold in their ever-changing world; with Shades of Meaning , you can teach readers ways to understand, interpret, and speak back to the texts in their lives.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Nonfiction, Professional Development

176 pages, Paperback

First published March 8, 2005

Reviews

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great affirmation that what I'm doing in my class is right, but that I can CHOOSE to do it better. The author is good on the page, but even more fabulous in person!

[George Kasnic · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent primer on teaching reading, creating an open accepting classroom where ideas fly around freely. Although written prior to Miller’s “Tgr Book Whisperer,” it is actually a great follow up. More general in approach it is not for the neophyte reading teacher, but the more experienced teacher, confident in their ability to conference and adjust instruction based on those conferences, able to detect and extrapolate from class wide patterns in choosing which mini lessons to deliver, and technically competent in their ability to focus on the needs of individuals and groups of students.

[Shannon Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely will help you open your mind to different ways of teaching comprehension in middle school. She uses a workshop model but most of the information can be applied to any model in my opinion. Worth a read whether you use it or not, it’s a different perspective than what I’ve been taught and practiced through in-school coaching.

[Tammy Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book isn't really about reading workshop. It's about getting middle school readers to think deeper about their reading, make personal connections to themselves and the world around them. She says students often can't imagine anything or anyone beyond themselves. So true. She advocates reading as a way to teach students how to answer new conflicts in their own lives, examine social issues and get past just the literal plot or language on the page. She even says the true assessment often doesn't come in the classroom but outside the classroom when students make personal choices of character and choose to do the right thing. Hmm.. It all sounds good on PAPER.

None of the strategies presented were new but I appreciated reviewing them and I will certainly use some of her ideas. She reminded me that modeling thinking may be the most important teaching strategy. She also reminded me to use a passage multiple times. I also certainly appreciate not only is she an experienced middle school teacher, but she feels it's impossible to have a set curriculum. Teaching points should come from mistakes you see your students making in their thinking. This makes sense to me.:)

I'm left with some questions and excited to actually have the opportunity to ask them. For example, she doesn't mention teaching literary elements or vocabulary. And she does strongly believe that reading has to be more than just pleasure and getting "lost in a good book". This leaves me thinking how do I find balance. How do I teach students to think critically, a necessary life skill, and at the same time view reading as fun and pleasurable?

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some concrete strategies for building a reading workshop curriculum based on authentic classroom research. Loved the sections on teaching inferential thinking and how to support students in expanding their thinking about what they are reading. One drawback is the lack of reference to the standardized testing world we live in and how to make this type of authentic instruction and assessment work within that world.

[Jennifer Wyld · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great resource for teachers. It has so many great ideas about helping students for depth and meaning. I am really inspired by the idea that we can read to imagine horizons of possibility for ourselves. WOW! It is for more than just entertainment or information. I will use this to be a better teacher...

[Julie Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Santman's ideas about reading as a catalyst for not only discussion of big issues, but developing and shifting our paradigm as a result. I am excited about having an opportunity to hear more from her and look at some practical implantation strategies. I also look forward to hearing how the technological advances in the last seven years have affected her practices.

[Gigi Shoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was about one teachers experience in one classroom and had a lot of examples of what can be done in your own. However when read alongside one of her workshops gives everything an entirely new meaning and makes it all easier to understand and envision. :)

[jmjester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sandman gives very specific advice on how to hep improve our students' reading abilities while taking us inside her thinking. She chooses to focus on a few lessons and teach us what she does very well. I'll be returning to this text.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this book. To me, it was an inspirational book. Donna Santman is a new teacher hero for me!

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource for any middle school reading teacher using the Reader's Workshop model!

[Jo Gallagher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book inspired me to teach my students to write longer essays on their quick jots and notes. Write as long as you are thinking. Thank you to Donna for such an informative text.