Katrina Hankins Blog #4—Routman Ch 6 & 7 Plan for and Monitor Independent Reading/Make Assessment Instruction's Working Partner

I chose these chapters because of the gnawing fear that the need to get things done and get the grades is overtaking our independent reading time.  Another concern is that our goal to really get to know our students has shifted to the need to know how to formatively assess their progress in order to provide appropriate instruction for them?  This time reminds me of whenever I try a new initiative to take better care of myself.  I know the elements and truly believe in them such as getting enough sleep, eating healthy food, and finding time to exercise.  All of this can start out fine but then falters when I get super busy or challenged.  That’s when I go back to my old ways that are not necessarily the best option.

In chapter 6 Routman lays out the ideals to strive for with independent reading.  This time is essential and should trump everything else on our long list of things to do.  We need to plan to have this independent reading time in place with the necessary elements that encourage book selection, practice in understanding and strategies, and conferencing to monitor and assess student progress toward goals.  This is the time when procedures have been in place for a while, but are all students actively engaged?  We’re approaching the end of the second semester; have our students experienced growth in their achievement?  How are we monitoring that progress?  Routman states that running records and miscue analysis should be part of our process to meet the needs of our students as well as goal setting as part of our conferencing.  This doesn’t have to be a stressful thing but a daily practice that informs our instruction and work toward growth.

What I loved was in Chapter 7 as she met the challenges head on with regard to a school facing the demands of the FCAT.  Whether we are talking about FCAT, PASS, or ACT Aspire, Routman shows that it is possible to take standardized testing to a manageable daily practice that is attainable through the authentic reading, writing, and conferencing that she has presented in her book so far.  Her informal reading conferences lay out the way in which she and her students work collaboratively toward high expectations and achievement in line with the standardized assessment that is at the end of the line.  I truly don’t know if I would be able to handle all of it as well as she does, but I do believe that it is worth a try.  One example was laying out what they will need to be able to do in a chart or laminated sheet for reference.  The other is to incorporate literacy across the curriculum.  These along with the goal setting and conferencing would help to develop a clear path for each child to grow and succeed as much as humanly possible.