Within the last week or so I have had the pleasure of reading two phenomenal articles about adolescent students having ownership in their reading and educational lives. In one article, Valerie Lee stresses the point of how we, as parents and teachers, should trust our adolescent learners to select their own reading text and transition from hovering to simply mentoring. I enjoyed reading this article because one of the main words that Lee used which stood out to me was trust. I truly believe that, teachers alone, do not allow ourselves to trust our students enough when it comes to their choice in the world of education. I have noticed myself struggling with the idea of trust in my classroom. Although my students are only in Kindergarten, they have adapted to my expectations quite well; however when the time comes for them to have choice in how to express their learning, I struggle with trusting them to meeting my expectations independently.
Using the concept of trust, Valerie Lee spoke about how to implement a sustained silent reading (SSR) in her high school class in order to allow students the time to simply read for enjoyment. I appreciated the fact that she was not judgmental of the students who brought in magazines of their hobbies such as traveling or hunting. She understood the importance of trusting them to make their own choices in their reading which eventually lead to their interest of reading novels of others topics.
In addition to the first article, I also read an article which takes a closer look on the reading difficulties in adolescent learners and the interventions put into place in order to "help" students improve. Although I could relate to this article due to my professional experience of intervention put into place and failing; I could not help feeling bothersome because in each case discussed it seems as if the needs of these students were not being met. In addition to the needs of the students not being met, these students slip through the cracks, which could be avoided, because their parents are not being heard. I could appreciate that fact that the researchers of this article interviewed the students in order to get their thoughts on their reading struggles. This allows students the opportunity to have ownership of their education.
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Life of Literacy
For as long as I could remember I have always enjoyed the pleasure of reading. I remember when I was in middle school my mom would drop me off at the library after school where I would sit and read books until closing time. There were so many titles to choose from that I could not just select a few. It was then that I realized my absolute love for books of all kind!
For many years I could not understand how my love for books developed as I was not raised in a family of pleasure-readers. As I grew older, my interest in reading struck an interest of reading in my mother and we began to share interesting novels to read.
I was recently asked the question, "what is your literacy life like"? I immediately began to think of all the books I have had the pleasure of reading while balancing work, school, and life.
After further consideration I decided that my literacy life flourishes more than I realize.
I would say that I part-take in some sort of reading every day. Whether texting, emailing, browsing on the internet, listening to music, or something as simple as driving on the highway. These are all forms of literacy and require comprehension on some level.
I try to keep a life of (traditional) literacy by reading novels on the weekend when I am all caught up on homework and lesson plans. This extends the time of completion for one novel by at least two months.
My most desirable time of the year to read is during extended holiday breaks or summer when I have, what feels like, an endless amount of time to read and enjoy an adventure through the world of characters.
As an adult I find it difficult to read for enjoyment as the constant demand of life occurs daily and I forget. Regardless of how often opportunities are presented to read, my desire to read for enjoyment have not changed, and I am grateful to have an appreciation for quality literature,
For many years I could not understand how my love for books developed as I was not raised in a family of pleasure-readers. As I grew older, my interest in reading struck an interest of reading in my mother and we began to share interesting novels to read.
I was recently asked the question, "what is your literacy life like"? I immediately began to think of all the books I have had the pleasure of reading while balancing work, school, and life.
After further consideration I decided that my literacy life flourishes more than I realize.
I would say that I part-take in some sort of reading every day. Whether texting, emailing, browsing on the internet, listening to music, or something as simple as driving on the highway. These are all forms of literacy and require comprehension on some level.
I try to keep a life of (traditional) literacy by reading novels on the weekend when I am all caught up on homework and lesson plans. This extends the time of completion for one novel by at least two months.
My most desirable time of the year to read is during extended holiday breaks or summer when I have, what feels like, an endless amount of time to read and enjoy an adventure through the world of characters.
As an adult I find it difficult to read for enjoyment as the constant demand of life occurs daily and I forget. Regardless of how often opportunities are presented to read, my desire to read for enjoyment have not changed, and I am grateful to have an appreciation for quality literature,
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
Speak...
Hello world!
In my graduate reading course we have been given the wonderful opportunity of choice! My professor divided the class into two groups and we had the opportunity to choose which book we wanted to read. I am reading Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson.
In parts one and two I met the main character, Melinda as she enters her first year of high school. Melinda is a girl of few words but deals with much depression and inner thoughts. It is obvious that she is carrying some things on the inside that she does not want to share. As I continue to read through the first two parts of this book, I hurt for Melinda. So many thoughts held within and her outward actions of carelessness for life, no one seemed to be there for her, or trying to get an understanding of her actions.
As I continue reading, I predict that Melinda will be forced to find an outlet for the pain that she tries so hard to battle alone. I have noticed that her depression has managed to eat away at her from the inside, out.
In my graduate reading course we have been given the wonderful opportunity of choice! My professor divided the class into two groups and we had the opportunity to choose which book we wanted to read. I am reading Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson.
In parts one and two I met the main character, Melinda as she enters her first year of high school. Melinda is a girl of few words but deals with much depression and inner thoughts. It is obvious that she is carrying some things on the inside that she does not want to share. As I continue to read through the first two parts of this book, I hurt for Melinda. So many thoughts held within and her outward actions of carelessness for life, no one seemed to be there for her, or trying to get an understanding of her actions.
As I continue reading, I predict that Melinda will be forced to find an outlet for the pain that she tries so hard to battle alone. I have noticed that her depression has managed to eat away at her from the inside, out.
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