The podcast, Creating a Home Reading Program, explains the R4 reading program or otherwise called the Read, Relax, Reflect, Respond Program. Teachers assign a specific number of minutes their students should read at home per week and they are to record their minutes on a reading log that is to be signed by their parents. The reading and relaxing is meant to be a motivator in that these students are reading books that are within their independent reading level that they want to read rather than what they are assigned to read. This helps to relieve the pressure that reading exercises could have on some students.
The teacher also provides students with a list of questions called prompts that are meant to guide students to think deeply about their reading. Students choice one question from a variety of types of questions such as "Reflect and describe how the reading relates to you or your own personal experiences." or "What would be something that your parent or teacher would find interesting about the reading? Why?". Students should be presented with a wide array of questions so that the student can pick a question that fits their learning style or interests.
Teachers also provide their students with a reflection journal that is to be written in every week for student responses to their weekly readings. Teachers should also model reading and writing strategies by being sure that they write a thoughtful response to their students' writing. It is recommended that the teacher grades only by whether students complete the task and not by the quality of their writing.
I was curious about this podcast because it has been on my mind how I would create a literacy program in my classroom, let alone at home. Reading at home is extremely important to the literacy growth of students, but unfortunately, many students hate to read or are too distracted by other things such as television, video games, and surfing the web. If students are given a choice of reading materials within their independent reading levels, it is more likely that they will enjoy what they read and feel confident as they do it. As a teacher, it is my job to keep my library full of interesting, fun, and varied types and genres of reading material so that each one of my students can work up to their full literacy potential.
Venessa:
ReplyDeleteSince many students like to surf the web, use that interest to get them to read. Have them search for a synopsis of a book from a list that you provide or have them search for information on a topic that they are interested in. The topic can be anything from finding areas that sharks are known to attack or the last area killer bees were seen. Keep the topic interesting to them and they will read.
I think this is so important. I remember in one of the articles we read, the author commented how students who need intervention would significantly benefit from reading just 15 min. at home. I think the challenge, as a teacher, is to get parental support.
ReplyDeleteMany teachers actually do have home reading program, but the follow-up is usually lacking. You could easily have 20 students bring back their reading logs with signatures but don't know if they understood or enjoyed the texts or not. While keeping your hectic schedule, how would you make sure that your home reading program is effective?
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of students choosing their own reading selections for the at-home reading program. Allowing the students to choose can help with motivation. I agree with Joann that you should capitalize on the student's interest in computers to help them develop literacy skills. As a young student, I did not enjoy reading until I found some topics I was genuinely interested in such as Star Wars. Eventually I found enjoyment in reading other types of literature such as a biography on Abraham Lincoln.
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