Think Aloud

I was so nervous about completing this assignment. I was sure that I would mess it up some how some way. I was pleasantly surprised. I think this exercise is a great way to get to know your students. It allows you to see their strengths and their weaknesses. I chose two readers that are at the same reading level, the major difference between the two is their gender. The most obvious difference in their reading was what they were most interested in while reading. The male was interested in the technical and logical aspect of what he was reading. Could a mouse really ride a motorcycle? While the female was more concerned with how the mouse's family was treating him. This may seem stereotypical, but I wasn't surprised.

Tuesday November 18

Instructional Synthesis Project

All of my team members came prepared to work this week and we were able to plow through our assignment for next week. By looking for references for this project I came across a book Comprehension Connections that was very helpful. I read the book in a day because it was an easy read. There was a lot of great information on how to help students understand comprehension strategies and how to use them as they read. The book stressed the importance of modeling these behaviors for students in order to help them understnad how good readers read.

Book Talk Stargirl

I'm looking forward to our book talk on Stargirl tonight. I enjoyed the book. It was difficult to get into, however the more I read the more I became involved. Like other Spinelli books this was a nice story that has a lesson to teach. I'm interested to see what my other book club members thought about the book.

I'm also interested to see what other resources we will have to work on our instructional synthesis. I recently did a project for another class on reading strategies that good readers use. I found lots of good information as well as ideas that can be used in the elementary classroom.

Instructional Synthesis

I have began my research on "How we Read." I am looking into different strategies that children use while they read. The strategies that I have come across help with comprehension and the understanding of text. I have found some very useful and interesting information. I am looking forward to hearing what everyone else has discovered.

Wilhelm Chapter 6

Alternate Texts as Literature

I agree that students need to be exposed to multiple genres and types of texts. How is a student to know what they really enjoy unless they have been exposed to comics, fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, magazines, etc. Why should we care what they are reading as long as they are reading.

By no means do I think a student should only be reading magazines if this is what they most enjoy. Every student needs to be challenged to dig into literature. But if they are engaged in the reading they are more likely to get something out of it.

We all learn from one another. The multiple experiences available by allowing students choice in their reading will provide meaningful learning experiences.

Reading is Seeing

I really identified with this chapter on a personal level. I currently work with fourth and fifth grade students in an after school care program. I am responsible to plan a curriculum unit weekly with math, science, drama, music, gross motor and art. I also plan cooperative games for them in the gym. However the time I struggle the most with is homework time that consists of written homework and reading. I have a couple of students that I think are out to give me a headache on a daily basis. Most students don't find this time tedious, but some do. I have a few that refuse to read and do homework. I have heard most excuses, my parents want me to do the homework at home, I didn't bring a book (even thought I tell them on a daily basis they must bring a book to class) I don't have any homework (even though I know who their teachers are and I know they give homework. Anything to get out of the homework. Having anywhere from 30-40 kids in the room at a time can be cumbersome since they don't all have a chair to sit in. I try to work with them to find books that they find interesting since there teachers don't give them required texts to read. These students are allowed to read what they wish. I think some of the students are reading books that might be too difficult for them, hence their lack of enjoyment in reading. They struggle with the text therefore they become frustrated and don't want to read. I'd like to build their confidence so that they will enjoy reading and I won't end up with the daily headache.

Looking For Alaska

Just finished reading this book. I must say I LOVED IT! I enjoyed reading about the pranks these students would play. I will say that at the turning point of the story, I was completely shocked and teaken back. I was not expecting that at all. I was kinda mad about it too. I had a hard time finishing the book jst because it made me sad.

Drama in Reading

Personally, this would have ben the way to get me engaged in reading. I love the theatre, and have always enjoyed the drama or the story in a book. I was your typical drama nerd in high school, trying out for the school plays, working on the set, taking drama classes and of course the President of the Drama Club. This would appeal to those students that are more "artsy" and ned to be engaged in their own learning. I think this offers a great option to switch things up and offer a different medium for learning.

EDTP 540 Teaching Adolescent Readers

I think it is very important to recognize that not all students learn the same way. I liked the different types of responses that he allowed from his students. Not all students were able to respond in the same way. Some of the students needed a more artistic approach to reading. This enabled them to feel comfortable with the assignment and to be engaged with it as well. I learn more and more everyday how important it is that students have a choice in their learning. They need to be engaged in their learning and by allowing them the freedom to have choice in what and how they are learning can only enhance their experiences. I find that I learn more when I am engaged and interested in the subject matter that is being taught.

It took me some time to get into "The Book Theif" however by the middle of the book I was really enjoying what I was reading. I did however find myself having to re think about the holcaust and the history behind it. I definately think that you could enhance a students reading by providing some background knowledge on Germany during this time period. Zusak was great at painting a picture of the main characters. I felt most coneected with the book when the descriptions of the "parades" were given. I could picture these poor people walking through town, skinny due to malnutrition, and dirty from lack of care. I felt for the book theif becuase one of these was her friend. I couldn't imagine having to stand by and watch one of my own friends be mistreated and abused.

Reading Response 2 9/16/08

In Chapter two, one item stood way out for me. Wilhelm found that most of the reading that his students were doing was being done outside of the classroom. The reason being that the students didn't feel that the reading done in the classroom was to be for "fun" it was purely academic, and how could anyone enjoy academic reading. I had this same experience while I was in school. I didn't like to read, and I think it was because I never got to choose what I wanted to read. As I've gotten older, I love to read, and I think it is because I don't have anyone breathing down my neck telling me what to read.

I do also see that we as teachers need to change the attitudes of our students as well. Not only do we have to allow students to have some choice in what they read, but how they view reading as well. Students should be able to select from a variety of teacher preferred readings and complete assignements ina learning style that they prefer. (whether that be drawing, writing, performing)

"You Gotta BE the Book" pages 1-24 Response

One part of the text that I identified with was about interpreting literature. I have had a difficult with my literature courses and it didn't hit me as to why until I read this chapter. I read for the entertainment value. Of course I read to learn as well, however when I'm reading I'm not reading to try to find the underlying meaning in a text. I read for specific information in text books, but when I read a book or a poem, I am reading for pure enjoyment and entertainment. I have a difficult time trying to read between the lines. I sometimes have wondered if I am just incompetent in this area. Maybe I'm not.

I too was curious about the child the author knew outside of school that loved to read. His mother was in shock when she found out that at school he hated reading and was having a difficult time. I have a student that I work with at an after school care program that is an avid reader. When I see him, most of the time he has a book in hand. I have found that when I ask him to read during the designated time for homework and reading, I can't get him too. I feel like since it was my idea for him to read, he's not going to do it. I am baffled by this each and every day that I see him. I think I'm going to try the entry ticket strategy that the author used with his class. I spend a great amount of our 50 minutes of reading and homework allowing students to go and get their books from their classrooms. Why not make it an incentive to remember your book. "I am a reader!" I have also started bringing my own book to model that I too read just to read and not becuase I have to.