Ch. 14 in WK

BOOK
Chapter as a whole

"So, if I'm going to read, it like better be for a good reason, you know? Like to really teach you something. Not like a history book or anything." Quote by Carter, p. 283

Suggestion #2: Read and Tease ..."Stop your reading aloud at a particularly compelling point so they'll want to read on to find out what happens." p. 291

RESPONSE
As I began reading this chapter, I was surprised as to how much I was relating to the authors' and students' comments about reluctant readers. Reading is somewhat of a struggle for me so I would rather have a short book, a book with short chapters, or a book that I know will not take long to read. However on the contrary, what I want so badly is to love reading. I want to be the type of person who can't put their book down, a person who always reads.

I can relate to Carter's response in that if I have to read a book, I would rather read a book that was going to teach me something. I want a book that I can get something out of and learn. History books are the number one books I can not read. I do not like reading books on what happened 200 years ago. It goes in one ear and out of the other. On occasion when I do read, I tend to enjoy books that are motivating and inspirational/Christian.

Suggestion #2 has always been a good way to get me to read a book. When a teacher would start reading a book and then stop right before the really good part or held me in suspense, it made me want to rush home and find out what happened next.

CH. 1 in BK

BOOK
"... literacy is key to success in school and beyond for effective participation in the workforce, the community, and the body politic." (2)

"...it is poor and minority children who fail to succeed as readers, and their numbers are growing in our schools." (3)

"The diversity of students in public schools today does not support a "one size fits all" program of reading instruction..." (7)

"Taking the learner's perspective turns out to be good advice for researchers as well as for teachers." (17)

RESPONSE
Literacy is not just important in the classroom and in the school; it has a domino effect in a student's life. If a student does very well in reading it helps them in many areas such as vocabulary, critical thinking, etc. Literacy will help a student later on in his/her life.

Why is that?

Every student is different and learns in many different ways. This is so important for people, especially teachers, to understand. One method for teaching reading may work for one student but may not work for all the other students. Teachers should be able to provide appropriate instruction for ALL of his/her students.

In another class one of my professors shared with the class about what another teacher's experience while teaching. The teacher said when she would tell her class to write in their journals about their favorite food or dream vacation, etc... her students' writing was very poor. However, when she allowed them to write about what they wanted to write about, ex: dinosaurs, dragons, etc, their writing was much better. Sometimes teachers need to put themselves in their students shoes and see how they think about things and see what they would prefer if they were that age.

Double-Entry Journals: Lit Circles

Website
"1. Students choose their own reading materials."
http://www.literaturecircles.com/
"9. The teacher serves as a facilitator, not a group member or instructor."
www.literaturecircles.com
"Literature circles guide students to deeper understanding of what they read through structered discussion. . ."
http://www.litcircles.org/

Response
I like how the students get a choice in what they can read. I think students are more likely to participate and share in discussion when they read the books they choose. When students are given a specific book and told to read it, sometimes they have a negative attitude before they even start the book.

I like this statement because it gives students some freedom. If students know the teacher is going to do all of the talking then it is easy for them to sit back and keep quiet. The literature circles are based on the students response to what they have read. It is also comforting to know that if the group gets stuck, the teacher will be there to help spark a discussion.

When students read a passage in a book, each student may get something different out of it. When students share what they think about what they read or what they thought the author meant by a certain quote, everybody is learning off of each other. I think students learn more through thier peers. I think having this type of discussion will be very beneficial for all students.