August Blog: NOT THIS: Is There Enough TIme? And Is time Enough to Support Independent Reading?

As I read, my pen was underlining and highlighting as I read.  Then, I started to think....what if my students could do this?!  They would be highlighting and underlining everything just like me!  I have been taught to read for a purpose and that is exactly my job as a teacher.  I am to teach my students how to read.  They need to read A LOT and practice reading ALL THE TIME to become successful independent readers!

I took the Daily 5 course last year.  My views on teaching reading totally changed as I took this course.  It was my goal as I begin this school year to carve the time into my crazy daily schedule for my students to have a variety of opportunities to read.  I wanted to sit and read with them, I wanted them to get comfy and read to their self, I wanted them to listen to a friend read, and I wanted them to get on our technology and listen to books.  I took the first four weeks of school and taught expectations to my students.  We drilled them and drilled them.  Finally, my students were ready to explore the world of reading!  The difference I have seen from the last six years of teaching to now is absolutely crazy.  I am so proud of my 22 readers.  They are readers!  They are not students, but readers!

I agreed with all of the states in the article.  I chuckled as I read and could sympathize with the other teachers from Baltimore.  Finding the time is so very hard, but if we do, we will have real readers who are successful!