What does it takefor new readers to succeed? It takes 1.200 hours of exposure, instruction and practice, practice, practice.
Patrick knows all about practice. He learned that in music school. But a job in a professional orchestra hasn’t happened. With a son ready to begin school, something has to change.
When the jaded principal of the neighborhood school presses Patrick to get involved, no one could predict the outcome. Guided by a flamboyant former professor, a salty science instructor, and a discouraged kindergarten teacher, Patrick discovers what is most important for young readers, and for his own future.
Filled with classroom ideas, tools, and models for teachers to use to make their own exciting learning environments, 1,200 Hours is the story of one school’s decision to do the hard work required for success. It might be your school’s story.
Great fiction, non-fiction success story about life lessons, finding your calling in life, change management, servant leadership and turning around at-risk schools. The “magic formula” now seems obvious once you are exposed to the research and to classroom operations. Reading in K-1st is the foundation for a successful life. “Students who are reading at grade level at the end of 1st grade are going to be reading well for the rest of their lives, 88 times out of 100.” Students need at least 1,200 hours of reading experience and instruction by the end of 1st grade and 10,000 hours by the end of 12th grade to be expert readers. Adults (teachers) need support to try new things. (Malcolm Knowles) Nearly every student can learn to read at grade level. Books in the home matter - thank you Bernie’s Book Bank! Some students need more. Small group instruction and Extra dosage! Foundational skills enable comprehension. Every minute counts. Class Management and Efficiency is critical. Learning should be engaging. An Arts-based curriculum aids progress. Practice and Feedback are powerful. 20 minutes of small group = weeks of whole group. Student data is critical; it helps understand each student’s needs.
What is the goal? Ask - what is keeping this school from being great? What skills must students be able to do by the end of each grade? (What to teach) What do we agree we want to see teachers doing in classrooms? (How to teach)
Kudos to Karl and everyone who works, or has worked, for Reading in Motion, changing lives of children in the areas that need the most help. I loved the ending! Karl - I am glad you and Jean got to live your dream in Paris and write your story! “Life is one big learning opportunity if you are awake and open to it.” “You can’t do everything, but you can do any one thing you decide is most important. Pick the thing that is most worth doing. It’s got to be something that also brings you joy. Then do it as well as it can be done.”
I was attached to these characters, particularly Patrick and Grace because their relationship faced struggles and yet they managed through it with calm and active listening. It’s a bit surreal, but it’s what I aspire to create in my own disagreements both personally and professionally.
Some aha moments were dictated from Patrick’s mentor. I assume this is for the sake of quick storytelling as hardly anything in innovation or entrepreneurship comes that easily. Patrick struggles enough with the information to allow me to feel his plight and I can imagine the hours of research, testing and trial and error.
What I loved most were the array of character types. The authoritarian, the unknowable system, the lazy bum who could care less, the eager go getter, the expert, the wary but willing and so many more. These are all characters that show up in our lives. They play different roles at different times and they greatly impact our journey. I’m grateful that Patrick (and our author) surrounded himself with enough support to take the journey that he did. We are all better for it and can learn from his example (and his story albeit fictional).
I’ve discovered myself that the “right” path is not always the one we set for ourselves. This is echoed in our hero’s journey. It finds us in miraculous ways.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.