In the past chapters the book
talked about textbooks and the importance of outside readings. Chapter five
expanded on this by giving us different strategies to help the students read
the material. It is one thing to find outside reading that is relevant and
another to know the students really understand it. While reading the chapter I
realized that I do many of these strategies in college but I taught myself in
many ways. I cannot remember a teaching showing me how to take notes on a
reading. It is such a helpful tool that takes minimal effort that it confuses
me that it was not taught. Our job as teachers is not just to teach our content
but to show the students how to get the most out of the material in front of
them. I know that I am going to keep this book close as I teach to make sure
that I don’t forget to teach these strategies.
Chapter seven in many ways tries
everything we do in the classroom into a bundle. The idea of using the right
textbooks, bringing in outside readings, and even teaching reading strategies
do not mean anything if the students do not trust you. A teacher can have the
best lesson plans and the most interesting material but if the students do not
trust that teacher they will not learn. The idea of listening to students seems
so simple but is not done often enough. The best way to teach your students is
to know them.
This would be a great poster for the classroom as a reminder for the students and the teacher.
I agree with you Jodi I certainly intend to keep this textbook and use it as a resource when I begin teaching. A big part of what I feel I haven't been taught are practical examples which the authors of this book use often.
ReplyDeleteI think that these chapters went beyond what we have learned in previous chapters. I mean, obviously that's supposed to happen as we read a book the information unfolds, but it was great to read something and think about what I liked, and what I didn't like. I also don't think these strategies will be hard to incorporate in class. Of course, I will have to have time to do it in my class but I think with good planning these strategies can be implemented into everyday lessons. I have been taught some of these strategies and others I have kind of taught myself and now can put a name to them but I think everyone doesn't teach themselves strategies. Including this in lessons can help students succeed in the future.
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