Literacy Investigation
A portfolio on Literacy Instruction for Elementary School Learners, Grades Two through Five. _______________________________________________________________
A portfolio on Literacy Instruction for Elementary School Learners, Grades Two through Five. _______________________________________________________________
Introduction-
Throughout this class, an obvious emphasis has been put on techniques for teaching reading. From defining key terms to discussing personal experiences, from structuring classroom libraries to creating reading assessments, this class has prepared students to better perform as educators. Beginning with the ability to define a child's literacy level and ending with teaching enhancements, this class has been divided into sections creating an intriguing learning environment. The compassion and dedication of current teachers have been passed down to future educators, such as myself, through visible evidence. In each section, I highlight significant points that have been addressed, as well as use outside sources to compliment these focuses.
Part 1: Understanding the Reader
“The connection between reading speed and comprehension; a film is made up of still images flashed in rapid succession to simulate movement. Slow down the film, and the movement and meaning slows and the film's impact is diminished. Viewers won't learn as much about the film as if it were shown at normal speed. With reading the same thing can happen. When a person reads word by word, like frame by frame, they are not reading on the level of ideas. You need to read on some level that's more conversational and allows things to coalesce into ideas themselves.”
- Doug Evans, Institute of Reading Development
Reading is a personal experience. Reading is an adventure. The act of reading is a teacher.
To read is to grow, to learn, to appreciate, to discover, to want, to ache, to feel, to decide, to expand, . . .
"Reading is both a cognitive and an emotional experience. Interest and motivation play strong roles in constructing the meaning that readers take from text, and the outcome is somewhat different for every reader."
Comparing literacy and comprehension- when comprehending a text, a reader is actively making decisions about the meaning, while literacy is comprised of simultaneous in-the-head processes enabling the reader to pick up and process all types of information.
Genres, Finding a favorite genre, Exploring different genres- Beginner readers are opening doors to new types of literature and as an educator it is a duty to help guide readers on their genre adventures, encouraging readers to try new texts, as well as fostering them to find a connection to a particular type of text.
“The connection between reading speed and comprehension; a film is made up of still images flashed in rapid succession to simulate movement. Slow down the film, and the movement and meaning slows and the film's impact is diminished. Viewers won't learn as much about the film as if it were shown at normal speed. With reading the same thing can happen. When a person reads word by word, like frame by frame, they are not reading on the level of ideas. You need to read on some level that's more conversational and allows things to coalesce into ideas themselves.”
- Doug Evans, Institute of Reading Development
Reading is a personal experience. Reading is an adventure. The act of reading is a teacher.
To read is to grow, to learn, to appreciate, to discover, to want, to ache, to feel, to decide, to expand, . . .
"Reading is both a cognitive and an emotional experience. Interest and motivation play strong roles in constructing the meaning that readers take from text, and the outcome is somewhat different for every reader."
Comparing literacy and comprehension- when comprehending a text, a reader is actively making decisions about the meaning, while literacy is comprised of simultaneous in-the-head processes enabling the reader to pick up and process all types of information.
Genres, Finding a favorite genre, Exploring different genres- Beginner readers are opening doors to new types of literature and as an educator it is a duty to help guide readers on their genre adventures, encouraging readers to try new texts, as well as fostering them to find a connection to a particular type of text.
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"Forms of Self-Implication in Literary Reading" - Don Kuiken, David S. Miall, Shelley Sikora
Personal connection of a text is an important aspect in understanding. Comprehension of a story can be intensified if feelings are able to be connected between the reader and the text, personal or inter-personal. Each reader has his or her own style of reading. Through a personal style, deep connections to literature can be made.
"Forms of Self-Implication in Literary Reading" - Don Kuiken, David S. Miall, Shelley Sikora
Personal connection of a text is an important aspect in understanding. Comprehension of a story can be intensified if feelings are able to be connected between the reader and the text, personal or inter-personal. Each reader has his or her own style of reading. Through a personal style, deep connections to literature can be made.
Part 2: Understanding the Text
"A book is the only place in which you can examine a fragile thought without breaking it, or explore an explosive idea without fear it will go off in your face. It is one of the few havens remaining where a man's mind can get both provocation and privacy.” - Edward P. Morgan
Class-room libraries are an important element in creating a successful learning environment. Providing a great selection for children to choose from help create a type of confidence in searching for new genres.
Thinking within, beyond, and about a text- Thinking a text, a reader processes the information in order to gain a basic and literal meaning; Thinking a text, a reader brings outside (often personal) information to mind in order to connect to the text; Thinking a text, a reader analyzes the text, using literary devices to analyze the text as a whole.
The thinking behind every type of genre is different. One cannot view poetry the same as one views fiction. As an educator it is important to cater to these literary differences. It is also important to realize what works as a teaching tool to students, and know that this can vary depending on the individuals.
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"Promoting Literacy Learning for Children of Abuse: Strategies for Elementary School Teachers" - Lisa Ann Haeseler
It is important in a teaching environment to be aware of students' situations. This article discusses how domestic abuse can have an intense impact on a student's education, especially literacy. This hardship can develop further into behavior and emotional issues. " Allowing one on one time with children in order to facilitate proper behaviors and make necessary accommodations with literacy learning is important. Teachers should include self-monitoring techniques, as they permit children to remain engaged longer on given academic tasks." Teaching reading is a concept that is so very important to a child in all regards of life and especially in additional academics.
Thinking within, beyond, and about a text- Thinking a text, a reader processes the information in order to gain a basic and literal meaning; Thinking a text, a reader brings outside (often personal) information to mind in order to connect to the text; Thinking a text, a reader analyzes the text, using literary devices to analyze the text as a whole.
The thinking behind every type of genre is different. One cannot view poetry the same as one views fiction. As an educator it is important to cater to these literary differences. It is also important to realize what works as a teaching tool to students, and know that this can vary depending on the individuals.
____________________________________________________________________________________
"Promoting Literacy Learning for Children of Abuse: Strategies for Elementary School Teachers" - Lisa Ann Haeseler
It is important in a teaching environment to be aware of students' situations. This article discusses how domestic abuse can have an intense impact on a student's education, especially literacy. This hardship can develop further into behavior and emotional issues. " Allowing one on one time with children in order to facilitate proper behaviors and make necessary accommodations with literacy learning is important. Teachers should include self-monitoring techniques, as they permit children to remain engaged longer on given academic tasks." Teaching reading is a concept that is so very important to a child in all regards of life and especially in additional academics.
Part 3: Engaging with Literature
“Reading without reflecting is like eating without digesting.” - Edmund Burke
“Reading without reflecting is like eating without digesting.” - Edmund Burke
Discussion is an important part in comprehending a text and allowing students' comprehension skills to grow. This also allows a developmental growth for students in terms of communication skills.
Allowing participation and encouraging participation is a crucial element of a reading classroom.
Using all aspects of a text can strengthen conversation - illustrations, author(s), theme(s), personal connections
Student-lead and instructor-lead discussions are both beneficiary for students and the classroom environment.
Bringing in books that you, as an educator, are passionate about is crucial in choosing classroom texts. Allowing students to see how a personal connection with a text works creates an opportunity for a student to make a similar bond.
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"Teachers' Leisure Reading Habits and Knowledge of Children's Books: Do They Relate to the Teaching Practices of Elementary School Teachers?" - Burgess, Stephen R. ; Sargent, Stephan ; Smith, Melinda ; Hill, Nancy ; Morrison, Susan
The better literary practices that a teacher has, the better the reading classroom environment becomes. Being knowledgeable about the literature that students are reading allows a door of connection to be opened, for both the educator and the students. When a teacher has a positive attitude about reading, this positive attitude is more apt to rub off on students. Also, when a teacher puts in the effort to know his or her students, the ability to find interesting texts for his or her students becomes stronger.
Allowing participation and encouraging participation is a crucial element of a reading classroom.
Using all aspects of a text can strengthen conversation - illustrations, author(s), theme(s), personal connections
Student-lead and instructor-lead discussions are both beneficiary for students and the classroom environment.
Bringing in books that you, as an educator, are passionate about is crucial in choosing classroom texts. Allowing students to see how a personal connection with a text works creates an opportunity for a student to make a similar bond.
____________________________________________________________________________________
"Teachers' Leisure Reading Habits and Knowledge of Children's Books: Do They Relate to the Teaching Practices of Elementary School Teachers?" - Burgess, Stephen R. ; Sargent, Stephan ; Smith, Melinda ; Hill, Nancy ; Morrison, Susan
The better literary practices that a teacher has, the better the reading classroom environment becomes. Being knowledgeable about the literature that students are reading allows a door of connection to be opened, for both the educator and the students. When a teacher has a positive attitude about reading, this positive attitude is more apt to rub off on students. Also, when a teacher puts in the effort to know his or her students, the ability to find interesting texts for his or her students becomes stronger.
Part 4: Teaching Reading
“The greatest gift is a passion for reading.” - Elizabeth Hardwick
Reading is an action that can be complimented with both talking and writing. There are four specific types of writing: Functional, Informative, Narrative, and Poetic.
Read-alouds that create discussion opportunities are valuable to a reading classroom. These sessions also allow children to share experiences in which they perform in front of their classmates.
Creating and expanding vocabularies are important concepts in reading classes. There are other forms of teaching vocabulary than memorization. Often, using other techniques is a more successful approach.
Organization of texts is an important element in teaching reading classes. Text-sets are an example of an organization method that links books together. It may occur via author, illustrator, or theme. It simply allows for a foundation of a connection and allows students an opportunity to realize how connections can be made across different books.
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"Addressing the Literacy Crisis: Teaching Reading in the Content Areas" - Mary Lee Barton
Background knowledge is prior knowledge of a subject that is used to help increase comprehensions. It can be used as a framework to help filter new knowledge and make sense of new ideas. Text-feature knowledge relies on using features of the text to help decipher new concepts. This can include, but is no limited to, vocabulary, images, and reading guides. This form of knowledge helps improve strategic reading skills and increases reading comprehension. Metacognitive knowledge is the act of using personal reading strategies to become better informed about the text. It is important for teachers to help students discover strategies and encourage them to use methods that help them understand the text. This can be done by posing questions that model helpful ways of thinking. Using these three forms of knowledge as a basis for a reading class curriculum can help increase students' comprehension skills.
“The greatest gift is a passion for reading.” - Elizabeth Hardwick
Reading is an action that can be complimented with both talking and writing. There are four specific types of writing: Functional, Informative, Narrative, and Poetic.
Read-alouds that create discussion opportunities are valuable to a reading classroom. These sessions also allow children to share experiences in which they perform in front of their classmates.
Creating and expanding vocabularies are important concepts in reading classes. There are other forms of teaching vocabulary than memorization. Often, using other techniques is a more successful approach.
Organization of texts is an important element in teaching reading classes. Text-sets are an example of an organization method that links books together. It may occur via author, illustrator, or theme. It simply allows for a foundation of a connection and allows students an opportunity to realize how connections can be made across different books.
____________________________________________________________________________________
"Addressing the Literacy Crisis: Teaching Reading in the Content Areas" - Mary Lee Barton
Background knowledge is prior knowledge of a subject that is used to help increase comprehensions. It can be used as a framework to help filter new knowledge and make sense of new ideas. Text-feature knowledge relies on using features of the text to help decipher new concepts. This can include, but is no limited to, vocabulary, images, and reading guides. This form of knowledge helps improve strategic reading skills and increases reading comprehension. Metacognitive knowledge is the act of using personal reading strategies to become better informed about the text. It is important for teachers to help students discover strategies and encourage them to use methods that help them understand the text. This can be done by posing questions that model helpful ways of thinking. Using these three forms of knowledge as a basis for a reading class curriculum can help increase students' comprehension skills.
Part 5: Extending the Teaching of Reading
“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.” ― Charles William Eliot
Cultural diversity is an important element in a classroom. Being aware of this diversity is a paramount responsibility of the educator. The diversity within a classroom can allow specific connections to literature.
The act of reading encompasses more than books today. The internet is a valuable tool in learning. Today's technology allows for an array of information to accessed.
There are many tools in learning how to comprehend a story. Teaching students how to use context clues, look for familiar words, and use their prior knowledge helps establish a healthy form of learning.
Assessment is a valuable and important aspect of teaching. Setting goals for students allows not only allows for them to be held accountable, but also the teacher.
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"Increasing Reading Comprehension through the Explicit Teaching of Reading Strategies: Is There a Difference among the Genders?" - Prado, Ludivina ; Plourde, Lee A.
Reading is a learning process that happens over time. It is important to be aware of fundamental changes that happen in the brain throughout particular ages. The maturity levels of the genders and brain development within girls and boys can significant affect the ability to learn. "Research into brain development has shed much light on the differences between male and female brains and how they acquire, translate, and use knowledge. Girls tend to use more of their brains than boys and imaging studies have shown that the female brain at rest is more active than a male's "activated brain". Because the male brain is not as activated in as many places, it becomes overwhelmed by stimulation more quickly, causing it to decide on the importance of stimulants for their necessary task. A lot goes untouched by the male brain because it does not attend to those things, preferring to manage stimulation by "sticking to a plan"." These are important differences to recognize within a classroom. However, these developmental issues can be controlled and every student can still have an equal learning opportunity by using specific reading strategies.
“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.” ― Charles William Eliot
Cultural diversity is an important element in a classroom. Being aware of this diversity is a paramount responsibility of the educator. The diversity within a classroom can allow specific connections to literature.
The act of reading encompasses more than books today. The internet is a valuable tool in learning. Today's technology allows for an array of information to accessed.
There are many tools in learning how to comprehend a story. Teaching students how to use context clues, look for familiar words, and use their prior knowledge helps establish a healthy form of learning.
Assessment is a valuable and important aspect of teaching. Setting goals for students allows not only allows for them to be held accountable, but also the teacher.
___________________________________________________________________________________
"Increasing Reading Comprehension through the Explicit Teaching of Reading Strategies: Is There a Difference among the Genders?" - Prado, Ludivina ; Plourde, Lee A.
Reading is a learning process that happens over time. It is important to be aware of fundamental changes that happen in the brain throughout particular ages. The maturity levels of the genders and brain development within girls and boys can significant affect the ability to learn. "Research into brain development has shed much light on the differences between male and female brains and how they acquire, translate, and use knowledge. Girls tend to use more of their brains than boys and imaging studies have shown that the female brain at rest is more active than a male's "activated brain". Because the male brain is not as activated in as many places, it becomes overwhelmed by stimulation more quickly, causing it to decide on the importance of stimulants for their necessary task. A lot goes untouched by the male brain because it does not attend to those things, preferring to manage stimulation by "sticking to a plan"." These are important differences to recognize within a classroom. However, these developmental issues can be controlled and every student can still have an equal learning opportunity by using specific reading strategies.
Being an educator is much more than following syllabi and government guidelines. It is of the upmost importance to have a connection with your students and for them to learn. What is it that we really want for our students to learn? Is it only the answers on a standardized test that will be forgotten over summer vacation? No. It is a yearning to learn, a passion to learn, a want to continue to grow academically and personally. In a reading class, a teacher has the opportunity to open up many adventures for children. As Dr. Seuss himself said, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” Teaching the value of literature gives children the opportunity to grow in more areas than academics.
There are strategies that can be used to teach reading - assessments, text-sets,guided-reading, classroom libraries, and much more. However, the most important element in teaching reading is bringing one's own passion for literature into the classroom. Setting apositive example for students goes beyond just teaching. It is also extremely important to value each student as an individual. Reading is a personal experience. Teaching reading should not only be a classroom experience, but there should also be individualized time with each pupil. As an educator, it is important to realize diversity in a classroom and recognize the differences among students, and then use these variances to create a dynamic classroom environment.
To be literate is more than having the capability to understand letters, form these letters into words, and read them. It is an ability to learn. Learning through reading is a dynamic experience. Reading teaches more than just understanding a text, but teaches the ability to comprehend. Being able to use context clues to discover meaning is an important element in learning across all subjects. Educating young children the value of reading can allow them to carry a passion for learning throughout their lives. It is important as an educator to foster this connection with learning and reading and nurture it throughout the class.
