As a child,
reading was one of my least favorite subjects and was never something I chose
to do for pleasure. However, now that I am an educator and have completed my
Elementary Education degree, reading is one of my favorite subjects to teach
and I often find myself reading for pleasure. It still perplexes me though, how
this complete turn of events has taken place. But I now strive to make every
student I come in contact with enjoy reading from the beginning.
A majority
of what we learn both in and out of the classroom stems from reading. Reading
is something students must enjoy and want to do. Students must also value its
importance. I believe that one of the best ways for both of these things to
happen is for children to have books read out loud to them. While this is very
crucial for young students who cannot yet read on their own, it is just as
crucial for older students who do know how to read on their own. Reading
stories out loud to children gives them a glimpse into all the wonderful things
that happen because of reading. Students can begin to use their imagination,
learn new vocabulary, make predictions and make connections with other things
they have seen, heard or learned. I have found that almost every student I have
worked with, both during my time as an undergrad and now as my time as a
classroom teacher, enjoys being read out loud to. They look forward to this
time that is shared with the teacher and class, usually finding ways to become
engaged. While reading out loud should always be done in a classroom, teachers
should encourage their students’ parents to read to them at home as well. By
doing this, students will see the appreciation that adults have for reading and
all that can be gained from doing it. Ultimately students will grow to
appreciate reading and want to do it.
While
seeing the importance of reading and enjoying it is important, students cannot
do this if they struggle with reading. Therefore I believe another key
component to reading is finding ways for students to be successful. During my
time at Auburn University I was able to take several classes that taught me
strategies that would make students successful readers. These classes also gave
me opportunity to use these strategies first hand in a classroom or one-on-one
setting. I often found that if students were unsuccessful in reading they were
often unmotivated to do so and easily lost interest. We cannot make students
life long learners or readers if we do not give them the tools they need to
succeed. During my student teaching experience I was able to see an excellent
reading plan put into action. Part of this plan allowed for students to work at
their own pace on completing reading activities. By doing this, students were
able to identify which areas gave them the most trouble and allowed them to ask
for help in a more specific way. This plan also allowed for students to read
stories with the teacher in small groups based on ability level. In doing this,
students were not intimidated by others who were farther ahead of them and
could feel success within their group. I am certain that the students in this
class entered the next grade more confident readers and hopefully found some
enjoyment in it.
I
personally believe these are some of the best ways to make students readers for
life. I often think of students as miniature adults. Just like us, they are
probably not going to do something unless they see a good example first.
Therefore they will not chose to read unless they see their teacher and parents
making time for it and reading out loud to them. In addition, adults are not
going to actively choose to do something that is hard for them and has too many
limitations. Likewise, children are not going to choose to read if it is too hard
and taught rigidly. But given opportunities to be successful and work at a pace
appropriate to them they will do so. I am so thankful that I have been given
opportunities to see the infinite benefits that reading can offer to all.
No comments:
Post a Comment