Build on Best Practice, Know the Research, and Use Programs as a Resource - Chapter 11

Teachers need to have confidence in themselves as professional educators.  We should constantly reflect and question what we are doing in the classroom and if it is effective.  We do not need to depend on a boxed reading program if we are keeping best practices in mind.

Best Practices in Teaching Reading

·         Students need caring teachers.

·         Readers need to have a large bank of words that they can read automatically. 

·         Phonics instruction is most effective when largely completed by the end of first grade.

·         Phonemic awareness is necessary for students to become readers.

·         All good readers miscue, correct themselves, and problem solve as they read.

·         Students need to be matched with books they can read.

·         Struggling readers need to practice reading more, not completing worksheets.

·         Avid readers can talk about favorite books and authors.

·         Readers who are effective are able to integrate many strategies to comprehend what they read.

·         The ability to access book and libraries has a positive impact on a student’s reading achievement.

·         Nonfiction text needs to be exposed in classrooms.

·         Find what interests students and this will engage your students as readers.

·         The more students find joy in reading, the more they will be motivated to read more.

·         Students learn more when basic skills are integrated and connected to relevant and challenging curriculum.

As professionals we should understand that “scientifically based” curriculums are not.  In theory they should work, but they did not test it with individual students that come through my classroom each year.  I grew up not asking many questions, doing what I was told.  In my career I have done the same.  I teach how I like to teach “underground,” but the more that I read about teaching the more questions I have and the better I feel about the decisions I have made in my class.  This chapter is a great resource if you feel overwhelmed by all of the research that is out there about reading and what is effective and what is not.  Bottom line is that a box curriculum that is “scientifically based” does not meet all the needs of my students and can be used as a resource but should not be the center of my curriculum.

Teachers are going to have to find their voice.  As a mom and a teacher I worry about the type of education that my own children will receive.  I know that the teachers that I work side by side with day in and day out have the best intentions and even those at the higher levels do too.  I think they are worried about losing their power.  I am worried that each year I am sending on students who are not critical readers and thinkers, who are able to problem solve independently and these children are our future.