In my placement classroom literature is one of the main
topics that the kids study. I mainly see them reading, writing, or doing math,
but literature is a main part of their day. Even though it is a Montessori
school, and there is no real lecturing going on, Mrs. Karen does try to involve
different kinds of books into the classroom. Although it may not be in the
traditional way, she does incorporate it into other subjects. For example, the
kids are learning about different parts of the world and what animals live
there; she reads part of a book to them every day to show them what these areas
are like and what animals live there. Another time literature is incorporated
into their day is in the morning. When the kids come in the classroom they eat
breakfast and then find a seat on the carpet and look at a book. Mrs. Karen and I then go around and read the
books to them. This is a good way to introduce more literature to the kids. It
is good to introduce different genres but you may need to read them to the
class because it might be difficult for them to read on their own.
In what ways
do you see literacy incorporated into your classroom? Because there is no
instruction in Montessori schools do you think these kids miss out on literacy
instruction (for example reading with the whole class or reading something for
social studies)?
In the past teachers used “experience text relationships”
where they use a certain text that the students can relate to and therefor
better understand. I find this to be something that would get me to read. If I
can relate text to my own life I am more likely to read it and understand it.
It is extremely difficult for struggling reader to attempt to visualize what
the writer is saying if they cannot relate it to their life in some way. For
example when I was young I never read any of the “Harry Potter” books because I
could not visualize what the writer was saying. Many of the thing described in
that book are fictional and I could not visualize them therefor I could not
understand the book. Later in this article
it talks about book discussions which may have helped me with my problem. I
believe that if I had someone who was reading the book with me and who I could discuss
the book with I might have been able to understand it better. If they could
tell me what they pictured when they read it might have allowed me to
visualize.
Do you think it’s a good idea to have these group discussions? Or will students become dependent on
other students ability to visualize the text? How would you prevent it?
Do you think there are any subject areas that
literature cannot be incorporated? Is it possible to incorporate too much
literature? What tactics do you think should be used in order to get a
struggling reader to understand what they are reading? Are there any others the
readings didn’t mention
Unlike Alyssa's classroom, I do not see very many literature being taught in class. During center time or break, they would be allowed to choose some books to read in the "library area" that they have in the classroom. When my mentor teacher teaches Chinese, she reads sentences from a computer program, where she teaches Chinese from. She goes over the same material almost everyday for around two weeks before moving on to another topic.
ReplyDeleteTo teach literature, it is important to relate to the children's personal backgrounds. In this way, it will be easier for them to understand and the stories would be more interesting to them too (Leland 258). The article also discusses strategies and visual aids that will help students learn. Designing a timeline and a concept map are very useful for students to visually see the connection. However, I do not see very many strategies taught in class.
I think students should be "trained" to do group discussions. My MT is reluctant to do group work and group discussions, because the first grade students often get distracted and off-topic. I think literature can be incorporated in different subject areas, even math. Math does not only have to be about numbers. I can be about creativity and motivation, that a lot of literature touch-base on as well. I think an effective way to motivate students learn is to make the learning environment a fun, relaxing and comfortable atmosphere, where no students are judged or mocked for not understanding or sharing their personal experience.
My placement is in a fourth grade classroom in a suburban school. I come into class in the afternoon during writing and math time. Last semester though I do remember watching some reading lessons where my Mt split the class up into pairs. Each group read off of an iPad out loud and then switched till the chapter was read. I think from my experience, group discussions are a good strategy to use with developing reading skills. When working with a partner you are held accountable and must contribute as it goes back and forth. Each student brings their own perspectives and strategies when it comes to reading technique. My MT also following the small group reading brings it back to the large group and reviews the reading and what skills are trying to be developed.
ReplyDeleteLiterature is also very present in other subject matters throughout the day. My students read science articles, math word problems, social studies biographies etc. I think it's a good thing to incorporate literature in all areas and subjects in the classroom. Students need to be prepared with the skills needed to read text, comprehend what they are reading and apply that information. Literature just becomes second nature and students forget the process used when reading, instead it becomes so regular that it's just a task used in daily life.
In order to help a struggling reader the teacher should implement an activity that happens every day and builds on the skills they already know. For example my MT has the students work in pairs to do 6 minute solutions. This is an activity to work on reading fluency and has each student read for 3 minutes and see how many words they read. This is just one way to help a struggling reader by having them read out loud plus the repetitive nature of doing the activity every day. Something that could be added to the group reading activity is having a discussion about what they read along with some guiding questions.