Prologue & Chapters 1 - 3

Week 1- Bero

Week 1- Bero

by Errolynn Bero -
Number of replies: 4

How do we impress upon all students that reading at any age takes practice and work?

-I think that one way we can show students that reading takes practice and work is to talk honestly about what has worked and what hasn't worked for ourselves as adult readers. I have shared with my students before that there have been times where I was really excited to read a book, got a couple chapters through and realized it just wasn't for me, and "dumped" it. I think it's important to know that sometimes a book just doesn't work for you as a reader and that's okay! I want them to know that they have choices and control over what they read for their enjoyment. 

What stood out to you in these chapters? 

-I really liked the information given in chapter 3- especially the Skilled and Less Skilled Readers charts and the Instructional Assessment Chart. I could see myself printing these out and putting them in my small group instruction binders to use as a resource throughout the year. The instructional assessment chart would be a really great reference tool to use during parent conferences or meetings so that I could share what their reader needs to work on but also share what would help them grow in that area and even share parts of this chart for them to keep at home to reference. 

What skills are important to read?

Recognizing sight words, using context clues to decode a word, phonological/ phonemic awareness, being able to comprehend what has been read.


In reply to Errolynn Bero

Re: Week 1- Bero

by Wendy Chapman -
I agree that it is important that kids be aware that it is ok to dump a book, as long as it is not every book. (We all know those kids - haha.)
In reply to Errolynn Bero

Re: Week 1- Bero

by Devin Snyder -
HI Errolynn! I really like what you said about reading taking practice. I believe it is very beneficial to be transparent with your students about their learning, especially when it comes to reading. I think the honesty aspect of what has and hasn't worked for you would be something that could also benefit them. It allows them to see us as learners instead of teachers and show them that we also had our own struggles as we progressed through school.
In reply to Errolynn Bero

Re: Week 1- Bero

by Donna Bowen -
When I was learning how to read it was hard. Finally, I found the right book, Nancy Drew Mysteries. After that, I never put down a book. You just need to find the right genre.
In reply to Errolynn Bero

Re: Week 1- Bero

by Ginny Reome -
I agree that it is important to let our students see or hear that everyone has picked up a book and struggled with it for whatever reason. I have brought in a pile of books that I have purchased and for one reason or another could not finish. I have demonstrated my struggle reading chemistry text or my child's college text about internet security. I want them to know that even skilled readers come across text that is difficult.

I am also going to use the instructional assessment chart during parent conferences and IEP meetings, it is a wonderful resource to include in each of my students' folders to highlight what the student is able to do and what skills we are working to develop.