Blog 5 Build on Best Practice

       In our schools today, teaching reading has become a hot topic. Many teachers are confused about how to teach reading because for many years, they were taught to teach reading based on what's best for their students.  This does not seem to be case in public schools today.   In the last chapter of Reading Essential, Routman talked about teachers are being required to implement reading programs that are not working.  She stated, "Never before in our history has so much federal money been set aside for prescribed programs.  There is no best program or perfect model for teaching reading"
    Routman believes that teachers should build on Best Practices in teaching reading.  Therefore, effective teachers should reflect on how to teach reading.  Routman stated, "Only you as a knowledgeable teacher, can decide what your reading program should encompass and how it should be organized."  She provides the Best Practice in Teaching Reading. 
     In this chapter, Routman stressed the importance of teachers being knowledgeable about relevant research concerning reading.  She talked about how teachers should be willing to  have courage to ask difficult questions and take stands for what's best for their students.  Students have different needs, and they are not all the same.  Therefore, teachers should be allowed to use Best Practice strategies to meet the needs of all students.