Lynette Richau Blog Post 2 Routman Ch. 4 Teach with a Sense of Urgency

Routman explains that teaching with a sense of urgency means to make every moment count, use evaluation and reflection to make wise teaching choices to move students ahead.  In this chapter Routman provides a great framework of what should be important and focused on in order for our students to be successful.  An excellent classroom library is mentioned again as a necessity.  I always felt my students learned more through authentic, explicit and purposeful teaching/modeling.  I have never been a fan of structured reading programs because one size does not fit all.  Providing a literacy rich environment and knowing my students strengths and weaknesses allows me to differentiate my instruction and teach them where they are providing the skills and strategies they need to become successful readers and writers.  I especially liked the section on language acquisition and all the wonderful suggestions/strategies that I can implement in my own classroom.  What I want to change: No more skills in isolation--I knew it wasn't working!  I want to do more interactive reading with my students to help deepen their thinking.  I also want to come up with some ideas for our own class books to read and share.  I have even made a list to reflect on to make sure I am staying on track with my teaching and the goals I want to achieve.  A great chapter to really make you stop and reflect on what is important and to evaluate what you are doing well and what you need to improve upon.  I love how Routman really spells it out very clearly and gives you tips and strategies along the way.