Patricia Graham- Blog Post 3- Teach with a Sense of Urgency

                In this chapter Routman stresses the importance of “making every moment in the classroom count” in an effort to provide instruction that not only engages our students but also helps to move them ahead.  Routman goes on to discuss evaluating what we do in the classroom in an effort to provide many opportunities for our students to engage in guided and independent reading and writing. 

            I enjoyed reading about Routman’s optimal learning model: demonstration, shared demonstration, guided practice, and independent practice.  This general model is something that I try to use not only with reading and writing but also in other subjects as well.  We need to show our students precisely how to do it” before asking them to practice independently.  It is also a good reminder of giving more time and explicit demonstration and shared demonstration early in the beginning of the learning. 

            Routman’s interactive reading model is a useful tool that engages all students in the classroom discussions.  The interactive reading depends on the book but the importance is that the children are making meaning, and they are engaged.  This model will help students find achievement and continue to increase in their reading.

The book reminded me to set high expectations for all of my students and model explicit instruction.  I look forward to seeing the growth my students will make this year and I look forward to continuing to grow as a reading teacher and educator.