Reading this first section really opened my eyes to all of the time spent on things other than instruction. Some of the time spent on transitions may seem little at the time, but when it is all put together, we miss out on a lot of instructional time because we are not always efficient with our transitions. I will definitely be keeping a closer eye on how exactly I ask my students to transition and how much time it takes.
I like that the author states "Unguided choice and lack of monitoring can mean that students see struggle while reading as their own permanent deficiency" (pg. 8). I believe this is something all teachers should hear and try to understand. Most often, when a child is placed in resource for reading, they already believe that they cannot read. Many of my students do not like reading simply because it is difficult for them. It is even more difficult to help a reader progress when they have in their mind that reading is not for them. I find myself focusing more on teaching students how to actually love reading because they struggle with progressing without that love. I love how this first section addresses this problem and states how guiding students to find a 'just right' book is crucial. We want to give our students choice of the kinds of books they read so they are interested and motivated, but we must also teach them and guide them in how to pick out the right books as well. Supporting our students' reading also means helping set them up for successful reading.
If we start and end with the hope that students love reading, then our instruction will always benefit them. Finding the just right book, their interests, and then giving them the time and support they is essential if we want them to feel like real readers. If they enjoy it, they will do it more. If they do it more, then they will actually be readers. That is why I love the push in model---student time and connection is honored and they get the individualized help that they need in a respectful way that hopeful helps them to feel like they are just another reader in class reading what they want and need.
ReplyDeleteYou invest in love because you know progress will follow--great!! You are right about helping readers find good fit books. Free choice will sometimes need some help until kids can do it independently!
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