Comments about the program from the literacy teacher, who partnered with the teacher-librarian:

White Pine has enriched my students’ literacy in the following ways:

• It allows for oral discussion skills in an authentic environment – students exchange ideas about books, discuss literary conventions and narrative texts in a supportive environment.
• The transfer from this discussion group into English classes is clear and will strengthen their achievements in other classes.
• It builds community within the classroom: students learn to listen to each other, value another’s opinion, and share a common reading experience.
• The connections between the White Pine program and the OLC 401 course are very strong: it provides a chance to build upon oral literacy skills in a meaningful way; it offers opportunities to reflect upon their learning: it provides CHOICE in the readings.
• White Pine is an authentic task – evaluation of another writer’s work, within a community of readers.  My students have thoroughly enjoyed the experience of reading and sharing their reactions.  They looked forward to this opportunity each week.
• White Pine has built critical thinking skills into the experience – for a group that very often is not given an appropriate vehicle to think at that level.  The chance to share, through discussion, their insights, make connections with characters and events, and connect the texts with world events is unique and a key expectation of the OSSLC.

Each student’s eyes light up at the recollection of participating in White Pine.  This reaction attests to its value to the student and the course.  I look forward to continuing with this program next year. 

Thanks, Janina, for all you hard work and your dedication to building Literacy skills. My students really “bloomed” under your care and nurture.

 Comments from students