This chapter (handout) was filled with great strategies and examples to be used in the classroom. It showed the relationship between reading and writing, which is so important and it talked about the role classroom environment plays in reading and writing. The article states that "there is compelling evidence to suggest that writing and reading abilities develop concurrently and should be nurtured together." I completely agree with this statement. These both go hand-in-hand and I feel that the success of one partially depends on the success of the other. One cannot respond to questions correctly after reading a story they did not comprehend. It is also important that the relationship between reading and writing does not just come through during Language Arts. It is something that goes across every curriculum, including science and mathematics. Another important point to remember is that "children develop fluency and power in their reading and writing when they have time and choice on their side." If children are not interested in what they are reading or have too much other homework they will begin to dread reading. This will make the reading unimportant and they will not gain anything from reading. I still have trouble reading because more often than not I am forced to read things that do not interest me and I have trouble finding the time to do so.
The article gives many suggestions for encouraging classroom writing. One of my favorites from the list is to "write stories and poetry of your own and share them with your students." When I was observing a forth grade class the teacher did this and it was perfect. Her students were complaining that they were having trouble coming up with ideas to write about in their journals. She told them that when she gets stuck writing she uses a few topics to help her. On the board she wrote a list. 1.) I have learned to never.... 2.) I dislike it when... 3.) When I go to.... Under each one she wrote things that pertained to her. She wrote I have learned to.... never buy Uggs off the internet... never wash my kids' red soccer socks with other clothes... and a few others. The class then voted on which one they wanted her to choose. They wanted to hear about the Ugg story so she began to write it as if it was in her journal. The students were so attentive and couldn't get enough details about her story. Then they asked her questions and went back to their seats to write. Not one of the students in the class complained about not knowing what to write. They were so busy writing their lists, they couldn't decide which amazing story they wanted to write about first. This showed me how powerful it is when a teacher shares their own experiences.
I also loved the idea from the article about dialogue journals. A dialogue journal encourages dialogue between teacher and student. The teacher's response can include comments, questions, and invitations for the child to express themselves. When I was in school, I never had the chance to partake in a dialogue journal, but this is something I would have loved. These journals allow students to communicate about things such as friendships, home life, fears, and so forth, allowing the teacher to better connect with the child. This is great for children who have trouble expressing themselves orally because it allows them to write down exactly what they feel. I love that the teacher responds to the students because it makes them feel special and connected with their teacher. This is something I would definitely consider using in my future classroom.
It is important for teachers to encourage reading and writing and to demonstrate to their students how fun it can be. If teachers are excited about the lessons they teach, then students are more likely to be excited as well. It is crucial for teachers to set up a routine so children know what is expected of them and so they get into the habit of writing on a daily basis. There are so many important ways to foster literacy in children and this article gives insight into how to make it more enjoyable. This was a great article to read and was extremely beneficial. I will definitely use these ideas in my classroom.
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