There are truly so many students out there that are struggling with literacy because they are also learning a second language, like I mentioned in a previous blog post, but personally I think there are also many young students who are simply just struggling with reading and literacy. Many English speaking students are also slow readers, but sometimes they can be overlooked or overshadowed by so many ELL learners. I think literacy for all students needs to be taught consistently and thoroughly.
On the International Literacy Association webpage, their main statement is -
"The ability to READ, WRITE, and COMMUNICATE connects people and empowers them to achieve things they never thought possible. It truly is the basis of who we are and how we interact with the world."
It is so true! Literacy is the basis of all learning, and it should be a priority to help every student excel in it. As a future English teacher, my goal is to make it a priority in my classroom, even above content. How are students supposed to understand content if they cannot succeed in their literacy skills? I've found during my time in Lesher Middle School that there are plenty of tools out there to help promote literacy while also teaching content. One example I have seen in the classroom I've been placed in is a kind of chapter book that also includes definitions/connotations of more difficult words. It is simple and easy to read, no need to look up the definitions in the back of the book - they are right there on the bottom of each page. The more difficult words are in bold print, and the explanation of them is printed directly below. This way, while students read out loud in class, you can have one student be responsible for always reading and defining the bold words. Then the students are hearing the definitions as well as having to stay on task because of the popcorn reading (and defining) method.
Lauren,
ReplyDeletei agree that literacy skills are for more than just ELL students or struggling readers. In E401 we talk a lot about how you can get kids to be passionate and enthusiastic about reading, and one of the best ways is to make sure that kids can read and have the skills to read on their own. This way when asked to read aloud in class, or to read a long chapter book, students have the confidence to do so. They won't be embarrassed in front of their peers or stubbornly denying that reading is stupid. When kids have the skills to do something, they are much more likely to do it. I was also at Lesher last semester and i think i know the books you're talking about. I agree, they are so helpful and i would have loved to have those when i was in learning to read. I also really like your idea of designating a vocabulary reader.