What an enlightening read this was! Throughout the process
of reading the chapters in this book, I’ve learned a lot about reading
instruction. My eyes have been opened to my failures as a reading teacher, and
I feel like I have a new sense of direction when it comes to reading
instruction.
As I read the chapter “Plan for and Monitor Independent
Reading,” I was reminded of the importance of independent reading time. When
Dr. Cox began holding literacy meetings in our district several years ago, the
importance of independent reading was mentioned over and over. Something I had
previously seen in my classroom as what we’ll do only if we have “extra time.”
That’s because independent reading consisted of my students pulling out one of
their library books while I had a few minutes to check emails. What I have
learned in the last several years: Independent reading is NOT a break for
teachers! It is not a chance for students to engage in books as teachers catch
up on things that need to be done. In fact, it’s just the opposite! Teachers
are very busy themselves during independent reading. Busy learning about their
students strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes, interests and passions. Teachers
are conferencing with students, engaging in conversations about reading, and
challenging students to keep progressing. Routman even suggested that perhaps a
couple days per week, the teacher also engage in reading a book as the students
read. In this way the teacher can model his or her own reading as the students
learn what good readers do as they read.
Routman also mentions how students think in order to become
better readers, they should read “hard books.” Routman suggests students need
to read “just right books” for optimal growth. So then it becomes the teaachers
job to be sure students understand how to select these just right books, and it’s
not based on a level assigned to them from taking the STAR test.
Even through reading this chapter, I was thinking about how
it was a “just right” read for me. Because it’s filled with the educational
jargon that I understand and has a practical application in my career field,
Routman’s book is a just-right read. Even though she’s a great writer, not
everyone can enjoy her book. The same is true for our students. I have one
student who is consistently struggling to get engrossed in a book. However, I
have found him to do well with The Magic Treehouse. Since I realized
that, I have encouraged him to keep reading that series. Although they’re not 4th
grade level books, these seem to be a “just-right” fit for him now…until he
builds his stamina as a reader.
I love that this Math/Science teacher has taken so much away from Routman's book! Thanks for being thoughtful and reflective - always a sign of a good teacher!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right--independent reading is anything but a break for the teacher. It is an important time for personalized instruction for readers!
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