Are You My Mother? by P. D. Eastman was my favorite book as a child. My mom actually started reading and singing to me while she was still pregnant with me and she later did the same with my sister. When we were children, my sister and I had a small couch in our room with a bookcase next to it. While my mom was at work I would spend most of my time sitting on that couch with a book in my hands. As a child I would always judge a book by its cover, so whenever I saw a book I would beg my mom to get it for me (even thought I would always go back to Are You My Mother?). I think that because my mom encouraged my sister and me to read from an early age, we live for reading for pleasure.
According to the text, "ninety percent of the children who are below grade level in reading at the beginning of fourth grade, although they can improve, will never reach grade level." (4) That places a very large amount of responsibility on early education teachers. The International Reading Association "suggests that no single method or single combination of methods can successfully teach all children to read. Teachers must know the social, emotional, physical, and intellectual status of the children they teach." (15) The text goes on to say, "They [teachers] must also be well versed in the various reading instruction. Only then can educators develop a comprehensive plan for teaching reading to meet individual needs." (15-16) There are many factors that go into teaching children how to read. The amazing thing is that at every age children have literacy skills, although they may not be fully developed.
Family involvement is also very important to the education of children. I am fully aware that many, many parents work their tails off for their children but if their child wants to read to them then spending a few minutes of their time with together would be immensely wonderful. Keeping the parents informed and involved is a great method to help students succeed. Sending home shortened worksheets for the parents to do with their children at home and bulletin of what we are all working on in the classroom is very beneficial as well.
Here are some links I found that would be helpful to send to parents in a newsletter: All Students Can Shine, Fun in First, Resources for Teachers. My favorite source is Fun in First. It includes questions parents can ask their child after they have read together and it also gives advice to parents on how to help their child succeed in school.
Do you know of any other resources that could be helpful for keeping parents involved and informed? Since the text mentioned that the educator should know some background information about their students before they can really teach the children to read and meet their needs, what is your background with reading and do you enjoy it? Why? Why not?
Jasmine,
ReplyDeleteDr. Seuss books are my favorite too. You chose a great one to discuss. Young readers should start out with Dr. Seuss books. They are fun and exciting to read. The pictures in them are very detailed and colorful! The quote, "ninety percent of the children who are below grade level in reading at the beginning of fourth grade, although they can improve, will never reach grade level" was a powerful quote. This should stand out to many teachers and it shows how literacy is challenging. The source that you mentioned sounds like a great tool for parents to be involved in the literacy process with their children. Another resource is having parents read books to children at nighttime.
My background with reading is that I enjoy it. My mom read to me as a young child each night. Every summer, I participated in the young readers program at my library. If I read a certain amount of books, I would receive a prize. I filled out a log of my progress throughout the summer. Also, during long road trips, my mom would play a book on tape to keep my brother and I entertained. This is why I continue to love reading and enjoy it for pleasure.
-Rachel Given