Setting up Reader's Workshop with my students in mind

The other core subject and life-long skill is reading. It is important for students to have confidence in their reading abilities. I think it is important for teachers to point out their strategies on how they read through a story. For example, when I was younger I looked at pictures in order to understand to the meaning of the text. Harvey and Goudvis (2007) preaches, “ we believe we must teach our students to think when they read so they can access information and learn, understand, and remember what they read”(15). I think it is important to stress that a student understand rather than how count how many books you read. Reading workshops are a great opportunity to teach students reading strategies. The teacher needs to explicitly explain how a student must act during reader’s workshop and what tasks we will work on. Students must maintain a quiet environment while reading. Concentration and focus are critical. During a mini-lesson, I will review reading strategies for better comprehension. After the mini-lesson, I will give students an opportunity to practice reading strategies during independent reading during which I would conference with the students. During the conferences, I will ask students questions. I will ask them to read several pages in order to evaluate their reading proficiency. I will take notes during the conferences to gauge progress. The conference also provides the time for me to individually teach students the strategy. At this time I cause see the progress of the student and see how the child is understanding the strategy. I will also be able to noticed how the student is applying the strategy in the process. After, my students had a chance to work on their strategy; I would make the class come together for share time. During share time I would re-emphasis the strategy and share some positive ideas I observed. I think it is important for the teacher to point out what students are doing well so are still motivated to work. I think it is important for students to apply their reading strategies in all subjects. I think it is important for students to understand which strategy works best for them.

This video shows an example of reader's workshop session. This reader's workshop session has a mini-lesson, practice opportunity, and share time.

Phonics vs Whole Language

This is a student's worksheet practicing Phonics.

I believe in teaching Phonics to children rather than using a whole language.  I think it is important for children to learn how the letter sounds rather than just repeating the word that their teacher tells them. When using the phonics approach students are learning how each letter sounds and figuring out the word on their own. Also, they can apply their knowledge of phonics in future text. In my field experience, my teacher using Phonics in her classroom and the children sound out all the words.   I learned to read by using a Whole Language approach and I do not think that I am a good reader because of it. My teacher just told us the word and we memorize it. I still have the feel of coming to a long word and not being able to pronounce it. I want my students to be able to pronounce any word they come across to in their text because they understand the sound that the letter makes. In my E341 class I had a chance to explore a phonics website that I would use in my classroom for my students to practice phonics. The website is www.starfall.com. Starfall is very fun to play on and the children would love to learn phonics on it. I will use Phonics in my future classroom because I think children should be able to uncover words on their own. My students would be encouraged to read the words exactly as they appear on the page. According to Wren (2009), " Children are explicity taught "rules" about the way words are written and spelled-sound relationships. After a teach provides an explicit lesson in a particular Phonics rule, the child is presented with a passage of text that contains many words consistent the rule( called decodable text); this provides the child with the opportunity to apply each Phonics rule on a variety of words in the context of a passage"(website reference)  This way students can apply the rules to any word that they encounter. 

Strengths based approach

( Each student has a different strength and talent. Students learn in different ways and use different strengths in order to learn.)

What is Strength based approach? Strength based approach focuses on the individual needs and strengths rather than the content. Every child learns differently. It is important for teacher to get to know their students and find out their strengths and weaknesses and what strategies are helpful in the classroom. It is important for the teacher to teach lesson is variety of ways therefore she is reaching out to all students' learning styles. Students need to feel comfortable in their environment and be able to express their thoughts freely. Also, in my classroom I would give explicit instructions on how to do things therefore, all students know what to expect from me. Teachers need to understand their students talents and strengths. According to Anderson(2005) "There is a direct connection between your talents and your achievements.Your talents empower you. They enable you to move to higher levels of excellence and fulfill your potential.That is why it is so important for you to know,understand,and value your talents.A talent represents a capacity to do something. In fact, when you are able to do something very well,you can be sure that at least one of your talents is involved. Just think about all the things you do very well.You’ll realize that you have many talents! Not only do talents help you do something well once; they help you do it well over and over" (Anderson,  E. (2005)Strengths-based educating: a concrete way to bring out the best in students—and yourself. Retrieved on February 12, 2008). (resource) This website made me realize that I need to focus on the talents of my students. As a teacher I need to have my students discover their talents and turn them into strengths.  Anderson (2005) explains "as they do so, their self-identities and personal values should become clearer, and as a result,they will likely become more confident, optimistic, and focused. As they achieve through their strengths,they will likely aspire to—and achieve—higher goals"(Anderson,  E. (2005)Strengths-based educating: a concrete way to bring out the best in students—and yourself. Retrieved on February 12, 2008). (resource)