This year I have made a change in independent reading in my classroom. Each day I provide my students with at least 15 minutes of AR/reading time. However, I often feel it's not beneficial. For example, in the chapter as they were talking about read aloud and the teacher can monitor "how to turn a page and sit quietly," I feel like this is what I do for my students. When they are in independent reading time yes, they are reading (or I assume so) because they are able to past the AR test. I often times feel they are not learning all they can during this time.
I noticed several of my colleagues mentioned being guilty of the "time wasters" I am also guilty of several of these! :)
Lindsey, don't be too hard on yourself. You have taken a big step in balanced literacy to implement the independent reading time. I would like to challenge you in two ways as you move forward: 1. be sure that the routines and procedures you implemented for independent reading in your classroom are being followed; be a stickler about that! and 2. try just one conference a day with a student; begin with one and let that number grow as you become more comfortable in the role. I think you will see great growth both for yourself and knowing your students and for your students as readers.
ReplyDeleteHi Lindsey,
ReplyDeleteI have seen first hand how you work to engage your students in reading. What I want to encourage you to do is to consider how you can improve your independent reading and make it more effective. Tell me more about what you learned from this section of Debbie Miller's book that can help you can enhance your independent reading through some of the instructional strategies shared in the text. Tell me more... Thanks, Dawn