Words Matter

Greetings Fellow Readers!

As literate individuals, we don't often analyze each word that we speak or read. However, these words are very important to our ability to intelligently speak and to easily comprehend written materials. Chapters 4 and 5 focused on lower grades learning to read. Even the resource I chose focused on a kindergarten class. So, I didn't think I would connect with the reading material. But, I did!

As a teacher of students who are several years behind in their comprehension, I feel like I am starting from scratch many days. CCGPS mandates that I instruct learning skills through critical thinking pieces, yet many of my students struggle because of limited comprehension.

Watching a kindergarten class was an eye-opener because I realized that the comprehension skills I am teaching have been given to them all through grades K-7.  The teacher went through sentences and a guided reading. We still do this in the 8th grade. The material is harder, but the steps are the same.

I know that so many of my students are frustrated with reading and so often they simply hate reading. So, I always try to the skills appear as simple as I can. It has to be fun for them! I found some great suggestions that I am going to use this upcoming week. Activities like word chant and word reports. This will greatly increase vocabulary which will ultimately increase comprehension.

The book also mentioned writing workshops. I am going to admit that I do not do a "proper" writing workshop. My goal is to find an example so that I can feel comfortable facilitating a workshop.


Happy Reading! :)