Reading Essentials by Regie Routman's section 1, chapter 1 talks about simplifying our teaching life. HA! Seemed very ironic. As I was reading this section, several things stuck out to me: "there is no one "right" or best way", teach what's essential to the well-being of the child as a learner and a developing person", and "view teaching as an art". WoW! So many times I beat myself up thinking "is this the right way?" In each of these sub-headings she talked about her beliefs and how we must decide what works for our classroom.
This year I began my reading instruction with a reading inventory. In section 2, chapter 1 Routman mentioned this in a way to bond with your students. She suggested using an interview instead to make it more personal I like the guided questions she gave to use.
She also talked about sharing your love of reading with the students in section 3, chapter 1. Routman said "if we want our students to be excited about learning, they need to have teachers who relish learning, who are passionate about reading and other interests, and who find the classroom an inspiring and thrilling place to be" (pg.22). I love to share books with my students and discuss some of my favorite stories and authors. This year that's basically how I began my reading instruction, after inventories. We discussed how to choose books, importance of reading, why we read, types of genres, etc. I am now teaching my students how to read and the things we can learning while reading.
I think it is important for teachers to share their love of reading and learning with students. This year, at the high school, teachers are posting a "What the Teacher is Reading" sign outside the classroom door or inside the classroom where students can see. Our media specialist shared this idea with us and it is a simple one to implement.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds awesome Elizabeth. I might suggest that to our Reading Coach.
DeleteI also think it's vital for teachers to share with students the books they're reading. Some students grasp that reading must be important because my teacher is reading. I love to read aloud to my students, and I will make an effort to share my hot reads with my students
ReplyDeleteI do the same thing by constantly asking myself "Is this the right way?" I also try to bond with my students by finding a way to connect with them and their interests. I also agree with Routman in the fact that if we want our students to be excited about reading then we need to show how excited we are about reading and model that.
ReplyDeleteYou are a great model for your learners: sharing, learning them, and open to learning new concepts and practices!
ReplyDeleteYou are a great model for your learners: sharing, learning them, and open to learning new concepts and practices!
ReplyDeleteYou are a great model for your learners: sharing, learning them, and open to learning new concepts and practices!
ReplyDeleteHi Rachel,
ReplyDeleteYou shared in this post how you wanted to begin the year with one of Routman's strategies to get to know our students as readers through using the student inventories. I'd love to know what you learned about your students from using the inventory? Did anything surprise you? You mentioned how Routman suggested that we share our reading lives with our students in order to model a sincere love for reading. This is one of my favorite suggestions and it has been a powerful motivator in my work with students. I'm glad that you are utilizing this as well in your reading workshop.