Ch. 6--Reading Instruction

I teach partly grammar and reading, so I can most definitely relate to this chapter. One area I believe I"m strong in is the four comprehension strategies listed on page 147. Very often I have the students respond to our reading by questioning them. I question them verbally and in writing. This is one of my standards, so this is definitely hit on in my classroom frequently. As in strategy 2, I often have my students summarize what we've read either with a partner (verbally) or by writing a brief paragraph. I clarify things as we read based on my personal judgment. By knowing my students, I can often predict areas in our reading that they're going to have some mild difficulty, so I often clarify as we read. As for the strategy 4, I most definitely do this one as well. Making inferences and drawing conlcusions is also one of my standards, so we hit on this frequently. So I feel confident that I do these things, which will help English and non-English students. As mentioned on page 14, I also feel like I'm pretty strong with scaffolding as we read. Some classes need this more, of course, but I do think I do this pretty well when it's needed. I like to think I'm stretching my students but with just enough support that they feel safe but are learning too.

One area I could improve on is the fact that I simply don't know enough of another language to help a CLDE student if I were to have one. I realize these students bring unique characteristics with them, and I wouldn't be familiar enough with their culture and/or language to help them the best I could. I took several years of Spanish in high school and college and have visited Spain, but I simply don't feel like I know it enough to truly help a non-English student in reading instruction. Language would definitely be a barrier. Another area I'm weak in that I could improve is giving "picture walks". I think this is a great idea because I've found it very helpful for students to see ways to make personal connections to what we're reading.

To improve in my reading instruction, I should continue scaffolding, continue hitting my standards frequently, and having knowledge of my students and their reading needs. I could also learn more of the Hispanic culture and language to prepare myself if I should have a CLDE student walk into my classroom. I would also like to implement the neat idea of picture walks.