When reading this chapter, I was really taken with some things. Routman says teaching with a sense of urgency means, "making every moment in the classroom count." I know this is something that I still struggle with. I try to prep everything and be ready to go, but I don't think I am ever totally prepared, and it wastes time. I also have so many management problems that I don't know how to handle well, and that wastes time too. I am trying to find ways to handle the management and have that not waste time.
As I continued reading, I saw the top 5 things to do to ensure students become readers on page 43. I thought that would be a great tool to use with students. To have them tell me the top 5 things they want to improve on, or things they need from me. I thought it would be great for goal setting for them and for me.
While going through the chapter and the explanation of how to use the Optimal Learning Model, I had a light bulb moment. The demonstration portion is the mini-lesson, the shared demonstration is where we begin working through the problems, the guided practice is when they work on problems with me and I just check with them, and then they go do independent work. I feel like I would be more comfortable using this type of structure in my room. Routman says we need to "...base instruction on what kids need rather than on their components of a literacy program (pg. 43)." So if I try this, I think it would help me be a better reading teacher and that would make my students better readers.
Your light bulb concerning the Optimal Learning Model can be applied to every aspect of instruction....master this model and your management in reading, then you will be able to apply it to writing and math too. This model creates a positive and effective balance as the teacher gradually releases the responsibility to students who are then able to work independently which is what teaching is all about!
ReplyDeleteThat is exciting--a lightbulb moment! I hope this has gone well as you have tried it out!
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