I hated reading when I was a child. I remember sitting in the hallway with a book about a firehouse, crying, because my mom told me I needed to sit and read for 10 minutes. This continued, well not the crying, through school. I didn't enjoy reading until I went to college. I guess some of me read because I had to, but Huck Finn was a great novel to me. When students tell me they "hate" reading, I share my story. With a four year old and three year old, a master's class, and a student teacher, I still try to block at least 15 minutes a day reading. All students in our English class do silent reading in English. They are able to choose any book that interests them. Something I can not take credit for but our school does well is encourage students through a class called Xtreme Reading. The teacher, Ms. Grover, is a well read teacher and can match any students with a list of books. She has encouraged the girl I mentor to read, and she has, on her own, completed three books this school year (this is a girl who was headed down the wrong path quickly).
Everything in my class is overdramatized or put into song. It creates a light atmosphere and encourages students to ask questions without fear of being embarrassed. I try to act out any word problems with have in math. We use a lot of mnemonic devices in memorizing steps as well as singing songs to go along with a formula.
Something I do not do well is break my class into small steps. I tend to get started on the steps and keep moving. I am not the most organized person as well. I have myself together, but I struggle helping students get organized.
My weaknesses are areas that can be worked on very easily. Unit Organizers help me get organized and I will use these to help my instruction. Also, I will work on breaking my notes into smaller steps for my students who are struggling. I feel I have done a good job in using higher - level thinking questions as a review, and will work on doing a great job by leading students to these questions.
It's amazing how someone who hated reading as a child, not sets aside time everyday to do it! I'm sure your story encourages your students who feel the same way about reading. Dramatizations and songs are excellent ways to get students motivated to read or learn other material!
ReplyDeleteI like your idea about using dramatizations and songs to motivate students to read. At your grade level drama and music is their life so I could see this really working!!
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