In teaching students that are often “struggling
readers”, a difficulty teachers come across when having a large group of
students, is how do a develop curriculum that can be taught for each level or
reader. Johnson, had mentioned in this article when listening to a struggling
reader, when they come across an unknown word, as an instinct we often help
them break apart the word, and have them sound it out. The students often when
they are recognizing words, a reader might search for information from the
letters and pictures (meaning), might gather information from background
knowledge, and link part of unknown words to ones that they know (syntax). The
student over time develops a network of strategies taught by each of their
teachers. In my classroom, I applied it to making sure that I’m using a
balanced literacy network. By using this, I am developing time to read to,
with, and by my students.
I know it is so important to provide instruction to all of our students levels. The students often relate stories in my room to pictures and allowing them to make inferences of the unknown words. It is exciting to see their little minds work, and use appropriate skills on their level to diagnose the words and relate to the stories!
ReplyDeleteDifferentiating for each student is always a challenge, but so important! Reading with your students can provide a window into the mind's of your readers. It makes meeting their needs so much easier when you know what they can do and where they need to grow. I would love to come watch your literacy network in action!
ReplyDeleteHi Allison,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that differentiating for our students is crucial in helping to promote both individual and collective student growth. What strategies for differentiating reading do you utilize with your readers in their small groups? You mentioned how you are working to implement a balanced literacy structure in your classroom. What does this look like? How is what you are reading influencing what you are trying out with your students? Thanks, Dawn Mitchell