Literacy....More Than Reading

Once again, I was privileged to spend the entire day on Tuesday with my classroom.  Now, I know it is not "my" classroom, but I have already decided that they are my group until I finish next semester.  I have memorized all but two names (if I were to do a lightening round to name them all, I would be mostly right.) but more than knowing their names, I have learned a lot about them in the three visits I have made so far.  Learning students academic levels and proficiencies are very important, but knowing their quirks, their motivations, set backs and social inadequacies are just as important in my opinion.  How we motivate and inspire depends on their willingness to learn and participate.

This week in Literacy Practicum, we have been learning about reluctant readers and how to motivate and educate all situations we may come across in the classroom.  Some are above grade level but are not motivated because they are bored.  Some are not proficient and they may feel shy or embarrassed so they may not participate either.  So how do we empower them and encourage them?  That is something we will learn more about and practice in the next two semesters.  When we model good reading practice, then we have a better chance at helping student in both camps work harder toward the goal.  Examples go far beyond the standard book series or famous novel.  We can/could use graphic novels, magazines (appropriate for grade level and age of course), interactive reading, audible formats, etc... It is our responsibility to research and find what works best for all of our students.

In my classroom, we have been implementing a Reading Workshop literacy unit/program written by Debbie Rosenow Dr. Jan Richardson and Hollie Steele.  In this 20 day program, we will be developing good reading habits (physical posture while reading, fluency, comprehension, writers workshop etc...) as well as hopefully motivating students by encouraging them to read, finding what style or series they enjoy, going beyond what they are capable of.  I am pretty excited about this and hope to add my input on new ways to teach literacy and writing.  My CE allowed me to lead on a few of the sessions Tuesday so that I can show that I enjoy reading as well.  The students really got into it and I hope they continue to find what books/literature they like to read.

Upon doing some research on ideas to lead a 21 Century classroom in ELA, I found this site:  https://www.english.com/blog/21st-century-skills  the main view point focused on in this particular post was that students should be able to:

• Perform independently and with groups in a highly technologically advanced atmosphere 
• Be ready for daily, global interaction  
• Be cable of adaptive, flexible and creative thinking 
• Understand how to plan for, build, and include collaboration with peers who are colleagues and experts in the field.  

I certainly think these things are doable, but quite possibly could be problematic for some school systems and or teachers.  But this is the new way, the future of society and the way students learn life skills that they will use in the future.  This site also listed the 4 C's (Communication, Critical Thinking, Creativity, Collaboration).  I really like this view point on education and could certainly see it being the focal point of my future classroom.  The class I am student teaching in has a huge culture of teamwork as well as the entire school.  I know when I was in school, I don't remember teamwork promoted as much, but I think this is a great way to introduce better scaffolding for students, differentiate learning as well as develop student camaraderie and encourage better, more efficient work from students.  That accountability factor is huge for me.

This encompasses NC Teaching Standard 3: Teachers Facilitate Learning for their students.  My reasoning is that it is important for teachers to know what methods, lessons, structures work best for their students to learn.  The reading plan we are using in the class is a great way to facilitate literacy in a positive way for our students.  There are certainly other ways as well, but this works best for our school system for now.  As I grow in my role as a teacher (student for now) and on into my very own classroom, I will always want to strive to deliver the best content and use the best delivery method for that content to better prepare my students for the real world.  But not at in a way that they think education/school is a waste of time.  More in the way of developing their problem solving skills, independent practice and furthering their education beyond k-12!