MMLA is the outcome of a decade of professional development, collaboration, data collection, reflection, and ‘wonderings’ turned imperative preoccupation in my English Language Arts classroom. When a passing grade on high-stakes state testing across-disciplines became the ultimate endgame for all work in high schools, reading and writing in specified ways was fused to a deadline regardless of individualized education plans and learning challenges. What is not always clear is that our approach and intent may be more important than drills and practice. Once we give students hope that they have value in the world, their academic work will significantly improve. An open, positive mind should be the 'ultimate endgame'; then, and only then, will test scores improve.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8JziRJYYCY&list=FLmLMCQQ99m6Gw0yU5MHZ_-Q&feature=mh_lolz