Reading

So Paige requested that I blog, and here it is. I am off from teaching this week, and yet I must admit my students aren't far from my mind. Earlier in the week I worked on report card grades and filled in my plan book. Today I created a reading extra practice binder. I scoured the internet for grade appropriate reading comprehension worksheets, phonics, and sight word practice. I created answer sheets and answer keys to go with it. I am really pleased about how it came out and it is something the kids can use alone or with me. I figure the more practice and reading I expose them to, the better.

My dad recently had me to listen to a podcast of one of his religious radio programs. It was about a man who made it to adulthood unable to read. He emphasized how he waited his whole life for someone to just take the time to teach him to read. He felt the help should have come so much sooner than when he was an adult. He stated repeatedly how reading, writing, and spelling are the essentials to the rest of life. It made me think about my own students and teaching habits. I do feel that I try to do whatever I can for each of my students. I think of them and their learning as individualized. But it is so hard sometimes because there just aren't enough hours in the day. When you enter a classroom, you have a multitude of ability levels. Some kids grasp math really easily, but can't really read or others are great readers, but just can't process math. I meet with kids before the school day starts, or pull kids to the back table at lunchtime for extra practice. I know I do the best I can for these kids, I just hope it is enough. I have witnessed so much progress in each of them, but because it is my first year, I wonder if they are where they need to be.

I have two students in particular who really have learning struggles. One has dyslexia and really couldn't read or write at the beginning of the year. She was already left back once in the past, but was still so behind. Yet, I have really seen her abilities soar. She is still below grade level, but she is reading and writing more. Another student hated school before he came to my class. His mom told me how I have increased his enthusiasm and I have seen him grow leaps and bounds too. But he too is still below grade level. But I need to remind myself that I am giving then all I've got. I actually recently pleaded with my principal to pick him for a scholarship offer we got from St. Joseph's for a Saturday academic enrichment program. My insistence worked, because she told me she trusted my judgement and we got him into the program. It hasn't started yet, but I hope that any extra little bit will help.

Think about how necessary the reading and writing process is. Can you imagine trying to get through life without these skills? There is a bumper sticker that reads "Can you read this? If yes, thank a teacher." Its so true, I tend to forget my own teachers who have helped me over the years, because I never really struggled in school. But there leadership, along with the dedication of my parents got me where I am today. To think back to my first or second grade self, breaking letter sounds apart and putting words together. And now, I am an avid, quick reader, and I absolutely love to read. So I am grateful to the teachers who helped me along the way, and I hope that I am helping my students. I am actually really eager to know that when we go back to school after the break, we will have a full month without any holidays. I want to use that time to get my kids thinking and reading as much as possible...