Preparing for Independent reading:
Since I have been an education major, in many of my classes it's required to complete observation hours. During my observation hours I have noticed many teachers classroom with their own Classroom library. From this chapter I have understood why having a classroom library can be very effective in the classroom. you can organize it by grade level, genre, topics or even by authors. It also prevents students not being able to find something to read during the hour. One technique I would take into consideration when having my own classroom is knowing my students literacy personalities. Its good to know what types of books your students like to enjoy and what types of books they don't enjoy. Finding out these little details about your students they will become motivated and engaged readers and writers for sure.
Student's Independent Reading:
Every child has a problem finding a book, even myself when I was younger and still now I do. One supportive technique I would use in my classroom is the "Goldilocks Strategy" by Ohlhausen and Jepson (1992) this technique was designed to help students find a book that is "just right" for them. Another technique I really enjoyed reading about is the "book talks". I cant remember ever having a book talk in class when I was younger. Having the students discuss books they have already read with their peers not only builds relationships in the classroom but connects them to each other by finding out that students among them enjoy reading similar or different books. book talks are mentioned as brief "teasers" that entice other readers to read a particular book being introduced. Having a reading journal is another strategy I would use in my classroom it allows the students to write about the texts they have read. But the key to success with writing journals is to establish with the students the guidelines for journal entries.
Independent Writing:
"To learn to read is to learn to walk. To learn to write is to learn to rise." Jose Marti
Their are four major steps a teacher must consider when preparing for independent writing; Explore, Draft, Edit and Publish. When preparing writing in the classroom its very helpful to have all classroom materials ready for your future writers. Its also important to have enough supplies for all your students not just a few.One on One conferences I would use to discuss with a student by his/her self to help my student move forward in their writing. Teachers can have a writing folder or writers notebook that has:
1. A list of topic ideas
2. A list of books that "spark" an idea
3. A list of action words, describing words, or other word choices
4. Writing rubrics, checklist, or guides
Defining Literature Discussion:
I found it very helpful to know that its very important when selecting books for literature circle time. That is should be based of the teacher knowledge of quality literature and of students literacy personalities, cultures, reading strengths and needs, independent reading levels and cross-curricular goals.
Forming discussion groups can be heterogeneous with more than five or six students. the students decide on a book and once they have chosen a book an initial meeting is helped with the teacher for further assistance. Their are four ways a teacher can encourage productive discussions:
1. Building community and ensuring active involvement
2. Model discursive skills
3. Model active listening
4. facilitate deeper conversations
Links I would use in my classroom that are very helpful to an engaging reading, writing classroom are:
http://wblrd.sk.ca/~bestpractice/reader/process.html
http://www.readingrockets.org/webcast/1005
http://www.litcircles.org
http://www.learner.org
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