Vinyard Post #1 Routman Chapter 4

As I was reading chapter 4, I noticed that I could make a connection with the chapter. The author writes about how we as teachers need to “demonstrate that we are readers”. When teachers show that they are also readers, and model how to read, I believe that this is highly effective. In college I had a professor who would give us an assignment but while we were completing the assignment in class, she would also be completing that assignment. She always told us that whenever she asked us to do something it wasn’t just because she had to give us something to do, but because it was important for us to do as readers/writers. I have taken this teaching method into my own classroom as well. Almost every assignment I give my students, I make sure that I have done the assignment myself. I share with my students that I have already completed the assignment myself, and afterwards I can share with them what I learned from the assignment. I also like to model how I read for enjoyment as well. I enjoy helping my students chose books from my class library because I want them to enjoy the books that I have in my room for them. In 5^th grade, students are asked to read novels that are chosen on their reading levels. I am able to also apply some methods that the author discussed such as demonstration, shared demonstration, guided practice, and lastly independent practice. So many students have trouble reading on their own but when we read together as a group the students seem to enjoy reading more.

                The questions on page 47 were very helpful when deciding how to understand and apply the learning model. I think a lot of the time, teachers get so caught up in teaching the standards that they forget to ask themselves questions as simple as these. The ultimate goal is to have students working toward independence and when we can teach in a way that promotes joy in learning, this is such a huge success. In science, I recently heard a student in my class (after an experiment and steps of the scientific method) say “wow, how is this so much fun?!” The student was surprised that it was a joy to learn. After the students were assessed on the experiment and scientific method, I realized that most students were able to retain the information.

                I liked that the author shared what she tells the students when she “fail(s) to explain adequately” (Routman, pg. 49).  There have been many times when I have had to stop and give instruction again because my students were not comprehending.

                Lastly, the author gave some helpful suggestions on how to include interactive reading and connecting reading with writing. I realized some things that I already do in my classroom. Our novel study that we are doing in 5^th grade is very helpful with connecting reading with writing.