Hi Folks I just want to share a few things.... My students have just finished writing their research reports on reading strategies. I love what they have written! A few excerpts are: "When you read you have two voices in your head, one that reads the words and one that does all the thinking!" Hooray, they heard my think alouds! Another student went on to describe inference as taking the clues from the text, and adding it to what you know, to make an inference. They then proceeded to write something along the lines of, "In the story, Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary, Leigh did not want his father to get married and he didn't want to share his dad with someone else because in the story he talks about his dad dating the pizza boy's mother."
I wanted to share this because I do think teaching kids reading strategies is extremely important. I don't think we all automatically acquire the strategies of reading, or they acquire these things when they are "in the zone." I also believe it provides them with good academic language/vocabulary and the ability to put into words evidence to support their beliefs. I also believe that most of my students now understand and can apply all the strategies. Some do it without prompting and others still need a nudge or flex group mini - lesson. It is also powerful to hear them use the vocabulary in a discussion. I truly believe teaching the MOT strategies in my classroom has not only provided my students with life long skills, it has given reading a "voice." I feel like I finally have a vocabulary to use to describe the ongoing movie in my mind. Without the strategies, I am not sure I could have described in detail all of my thinking! A week and a half left of school and then it is onto ESL summer camp. During the school year, I teach grades 2 - 6. In the summer, I take on the pre - kindergarteners with absolutely NO ENGLISH! I love the challenge. I will be doing a lot of singing, chanting, pointing, dancing, arts and crafts and showing realia. I like going back to the beginning and foundation of language. As always, I truly appreciate your thoughts, ideas, research and sharing. I don't always take the time to share on the list, but I want you to know I wouldn't get through the year without this listserv and the Tools page! Bless you all and thank you for the ongoing professional conversation! Thank you Ginger for your time Donna Kleinert Hatfield Elementary School ESL teacher PS. A pet peeve of mine is when some of you forget to delete all the text that you are replying to. Please be cognizant and use listserv etiquette and delete all the text. It is easier for the readers! THANK YOU _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
