After reading chapter 2, I can't wait to read on and begin delving into what is essential in our instruction. I also look forward to the Literacy Studio's. I'm just getting into strategy instruction, so anything that helps point me in the right direction is wonderful.
I've been thinking about what's essential in my reading instruction. I think kids must have plenty of time to read and it must happen in the classroom and hopefully outside of class. They need to be able to discuss what they are reading and they need vocabulary development. I need to be able to check for my student's understanding as they read and be there to support them, as they need it. I also need to support students who are struggling with decoding and fluency skills, but not at the expense of comprehension. As I read over this, it's kind of broad. I think the hard part is figuring out the specifics to make this happen. That is what I currently am trying to do. I've found I need to not get distracted by other things and really keep my classroom focused on the reading. This is my first year teaching 6th grade reading and I have not had my students read enough. Instead we'd get side tracked on other things that are important, but took away from the reading. Many of these things still need to be incorporated into my instruction (genre's, characterization, reading text books), but I need to do less talking and have the kids do more reading. I currently don't have a lot of outside pressures on my instructional time. We have an old basal, but I don't have to use it. I don't receive a lot of pressure about state testing. We do have a draft copy of District power standards, but overall they aren't extra's to include in my instruction. At times this year, I've had too much openness as I decide what I'll be doing. I look forward to next year when I can set up a reader's workshop from the beginning of the year and know what strategies I need to focus on. Cindy 6th Grade Reading _______________________________________________ Understand mailing list [email protected] http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/listinfo/understand_literacyworkshop.org
