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          For some time I had problems with parents about using textbooks in the class. They always believe that everyone should have a text book that they can refer to in oreder to learn. Now we are trying to get our students to go higher by being able to find information from various sources and move away from memorization alone or textbook addiction.

    I started using binders and looseleaf papers but because of their age {4th grade} many of them were loosing papers, leaving homework undone and forgetting assignments. It was frustrating to me and the parents as well as the students. I then tried to switch to using composition notebooks. They would have their notes in that, have any  worksheets or papers stapled in the composition notebooks.

     This had its advantages:

• Parents could see what their kids were doing and could relate to the notebooks as their science books. They felt a little secure with that.
• I have a point of reference for them. I can get an assessment of each student at a glance even without a test. I'm able to see how they are coming along.
• Each child can see his/her progress because they see how they started and how things are going. They also find the notebooks easier to keep and maintain than looseleaf papers.

  The other issue Susan mentioned is the fact that teachers need some organization time when they are staying away from the textbook addiction. From my experience when we had textbooks, all I did was go in the classroom with the students and tell them what page to work on. Now I do better. I prepare for the students and guide them through learning. Every teacher should get a chance to experience professional development that will encourage teaching without the textbook addition.

Tola