Routman Chapter 12: Jeff Young

Chapter 12 of Regie Routman’s book Reading Essentials is entitled “You Only Have So Much Time.”  As teachers, we know that to be so true!  Routman gives a set of questions for teachers to have in the back of their minds as they are teaching and preparing:  “What do I want them to know and understand, how can I help them understand it, how will I know they understand it, and what are my new expectations for students?”  Routman emphasizes the need for the work students are assigned to be meaningful.  When students can connect what they are doing to the real world, they are more motivated to learn and accomplish tasks given.  We all may be guilty at one time or another of assigning activities to just fill time, but Routman asks us to assess how the activity will “help my students become more independent as readers, writers, and thinkers.”

 Instead of administering time consuming assessments, Routman suggests making ongoing evaluation a priority.  (There may be some assessments that are required, but we are to assess the evaluations we have control of).  Another key in making time count is by allowing for active participation, which Routman explains, will promote higher learning and maximum participation.  I have found that students are eager to engage in the lesson if they can have an active part in it. 

Another interesting point to ponder is to ask yourself how effective are you using the walls in your  classroom.  Too often it’s easy to find colorful posters to paste up, but Routman says that walls, carefully used, with accessible helpful information such as content area words or vocabulary can benefit students.  Routman also encourages teachers to examine their daily schedule to maximize beneficial activities.

Lastly, Routman gives a few keys to being an exemplary teacher: read a lot (personal and professional books), reflect on one’s teaching, and invest in creating a classroom that nurtures the love of learning.  Routman’s suggestions, if carried out, can really change a classroom and school in significant ways.