I have always said that we learn to read by reading. I would add that
> we learn more about thinking by talking about what we read.
>
> :-)
> Renee
I totally agree with this statement. So many things I do as a teacher I do
because they work and sometimes find it hard to explain my decision making
by quoting a source. I happen to love this listserv because of the level of
thinking that goes on amongst the membership.
I work in an inner-city school and we use a great assessment called STEP
which comes out of UofC's USI program.
We used a balanced lit. approach to reading and use F & P's framework. As
we tested our scholars (that's what we call our students) we struggled with
comprehension. The biggest struggle was how do we as a staff decide what is
truly an acceptable answer to the different inferential and critical
thinking questions. We had many discussions and continue to do so, but it
has been through these discussions I have learned the most! These
discussions and debates have led me to be able to articulate my own
thinking. Now, transfer this experience to young children who are still
learning how to expess themselves in any situation. It is huge to use read
a-louds and guide discussions about thinking and understanding what we read.
Our big turning point this year was something we did that came out of
Knee-to-Knee. We modeled conversations and the kids 'studied'
conversations. We used D. Millers Happy Reading DVD's, teacher-to teacher
conversations and then we grew from there!
To hear some of the thinking ,and for our little 1st graders to articulate
their thinking, has been an amazing affirmation of the importance of
conversation and talking about our thinking. It is through these
conversations that our scholars thinking has grown. Of course we also saw
an increase in achievement!
So, long-winded voice on the importance of having conversations to grow our
thinking. We continue to learn how to teach comprehension that serves our
students in a way that will benefit them in the long-run.
Big Questions: Can they explain their thinking about any topic in a way
that others can understand their thinking?
Can they converse about different topics? How
deeply do they understand what they are reading and how to we model/teach
depth of understanding.
Every day we remind them that their #1 job as a reader is to understand what
they are reading. Then I ask how do you know you understand something?
They answer: When you are able to talk about it so others understand your
thinking. They are still learning the art of listening (they're 7 !)....so,
keep thinking, keep talking and most definately keep sharing your
thinking.!!! We are all benefitting!
Thank you!
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