This article made me reevaluate my teaching of reading and comprehension. As a first grade teacher, I often get focused on them learning how to read, building their vocabulary, and focusing on word wall words. However, if my sole focus is on my students reading the words and not comprehending the story they read, then I did not do my job as a reading teacher. In our lesson plans we have strategies we are required to teach and focus on for the week, but I never thought about how "just because we teach our students strategies doesn't mean they apply them." Reading should never be strictly about teaching a strategy and moving on, yes, we definitely need and use strategies when we read but we do not depend on them for the understanding of what we are reading.
I need to start working more, in my small groups, on showing my students to read to comprehend. If they aren't comprehending then they are completely wasting their time and wasting wonderful opportunities to lose themselves in their imaginations. When they comprehend what they are reading, books can take them to far off places and give them amazing adventures! However; that can't happen if they simply read words on a page. They must get involved and reread when they don't understand or write down their questions. They must learn to monitor their reading and take the time to stop and think about what the author is trying to say, why did he write this story? The more invested in the story they become, the more their comprehension will increase and that story will stay with them far into the future.
"The more invested in the story they become, the more their comprehension will increase" is a great thought, and how true! You are thinking about the explicit teaching of comprehension, and not just expecting it to happen. I know already that you model your thinking during read alouds. That is also a strength of great reading instruction and an excellent model for your students. Thank you for reminding us of the importance of good comprehension and the work a teacher must do to lead students to it.
ReplyDeleteI think you are your own worst critic. You model comprehension with modeling in every whole group lesson I've ever seen you conduct; and do it well. I wish I had a first grade teacher like you growing up -- always striving to be better and do better for the students.
ReplyDeleteI think you are your own worst critic. You model comprehension with modeling in every whole group lesson I've ever seen you conduct; and do it well. I wish I had a first grade teacher like you growing up -- always striving to be better and do better for the students.
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