As I began reading the article "Not This" Section 1, I thought, "Hey, I'm doing something right! I already have independent reading time everyday"..... then I kept reading and realized I had it, but was not using it effectively. While my students are in independent reading, I am pulling guided reading groups. We focus on a book for 4-5 days, master the book, and then my students place that book in a book basket that they carry off to read to self where we never really discuss it again. I never realized that my kids could be taking that book into independent reading to do absolutely nothing with it. I am unaware if they are reading with fluency or expression the way we practiced, or if they are even reading the books at all.
In my classroom, I noticed behavior problems were arising during center time. Students weren't focusing on their jobs and my assistant was having to call students down more often than usual. I couldn't figure out why some students were struggling in their reading centers, until I read this article. My eyes have been opened to the possibility that it may not just be rambunctious kids who didn't want to obey rules; it legitimately may be that they are unsure of themselves as readers and I, as their teacher, need to do a better job of modeling and showing them how to be REAL readers. At the beginning of the school year, I modeled how to behave in their centers, but now I need to go back and model how to be effective readers in those centers.
You are doing more than one thing right. I know you will find a way to get ample use of that independent reading time. I have a few ideas that Dr. Harrison from Converse did with my class during her sabbatical that I can share with you if you're interested.
ReplyDeleteAshley, I agree with Alisha, you are doing many things right! You should never give that another thought. But, I love the way the article has you thinking about your small group guided reading and your independent reading. And, yes, it is important to revisit those classroom routines and procedures when your students begin to "forget" them. Rather than you spending all your independent reading time in guided reading groups, you may want to do some individual student conferencing as well.
ReplyDeleteAshley, I have recently found out that my struggling readers really have no confidence in themselves as readers.They do well when we are in small groups but, they do not take that same confidence with them when they are independently reading! I tell them that they can be great readers and I talk to them about the progress they are making as readers in hopes that it will build that confidence. I think my problem is that I have to teach them the importance of choosing just right books. This is something I will be working on.
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