In a lot of our education courses, I have noticed that we spend a significant amount of time talking about ways to teach to each individual child, and I think that these articles reiterate this idea in a way that also puts the individual in the context of the greater picture of the whole group. When focusing on literacy, as much as with any other subject, it is important to understand what our students already know. What have they been exposed to in terms of literacy? Specifically in our generation, we must think about the technology they are exposed to, the advertisements they see,and the kinds of training they receive outside of school that help them develop as readers and communicators. Each student will be different in what kinds of exposure to these that they have had. This must be considered when we plan lessons to help expand their reading skills. We must choose text that will be relevant to their lives and that will be useful in helping them acquire the skills the need to be a proficient reader. Since this will be different for each individual, we must differentiate our style of teaching, but at the same time, we must show them the greater context of their reading community. We most build a sense of community in the classroom that foster everyone's learning. We most acknowledge the things that would inhibit students from learning and help them to understand as well.
One of the articles talks about teacher expectations and how the way the class is set up sets the tone for how students learn. We must have high expectations for the students that they can all learn and that they must learn. We must expect them to improve and to keep trying. we must show respect for their differences and strive to make reading fun for everyone.
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What a responsibility and calling we have as teachers to not only understand our students and their backgrounds and "funds of knowledge", but also be able to "differentiate our style of teaching". I think you nailed it when you said "we must build a sense of community in the classroom that fosters everyone's learning". When I read articles like these and we reflect on their implications for the classroom, it can seem overwhelming at times, but I feel that the rewards can be priceless when we strive to reach these goals, making learning possible for every child.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your thoughts about giving students materials that are useful to the individual and have meaning in the classroom. I sometimes wonder how to compare this task in a fifth grade classroom and a kindergarten classroom. Letting fifth grade students choose their own materials is much easier then letting a kindergartener who has no idea how to even read. I think that in my kindergarten classroom I will need to get to know my students and their likes and dislikes in order to find a way to lead them in the right direction when they are given the opportunity to choose a book. Many times parents will have already led their child int he right direction, but at school the teacher is the one that needs to make the right decisions for the students.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything that you are saying. The only problem is actually being able to put these great ideas into practice with all of the laws we have to follow as teachers. Our current system of schooling is one of an industrial model. Sometimes this puts restrictions on teacher's power for decision-making, creativity, and focus on the diversity of his/her students. I guess we just have to do the best we can if/when the school we work in takes on a Reading First Initiative where the lessons are scripted.
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