Comprehension

After reading, Improving Reading Comprehension in Kindergarten through 3^rd Grade, I learned some new things about teaching comprehension that I can implement in my classroom.  I have also been thinking about my action research and what I changes I could make with reading.  In the article, five recommendations were listed for teaching comprehension.

Recommendation 1:

Teach students how to use reading comprehension strategies

• Teach students how to use strategies independently 
• Strategies can be taught individually or in combination 
• Gradual release of responsibility-students are given more and more independence in practicing the strategy

Each week with my reading curriculum, I introduce a new comprehension strategy.  They are repeated throughout the year.  This year, I would like to give my students more independent practice with the strategies.

Recommendation 2:

   Teach students to identify and use the text’s organizational structure to comprehend, learn, and remember content

• Model and explain how to make connections to the text 
• Teach common structures of informational text

It is important for students to understand how text is organized.  This year, many of my students enjoyed reading informational text so being able to understand how it is organized is important.

Recommendation 3:

Guide students through focused, high-quality discussion on the meaning of text

•  Structure the discussion to complement the text, instructional purpose, and readers’ ability 
• Develop higher level thinking discussion questions
• Encourage and facilitate discussions 
• Have students lead discussions

I would like to plan for more discussions next year.  I always feel that there is so much to do, but I need to remember to slow down and let students share and make connections.

Recommendation 4:

Select texts purposefully to support comprehension development

• Teach comprehension through multiple genres 
• Be intentional about choosing texts 
• Choose appropriate reading ability texts 
• Use texts that support instruction

Recommendation 5:

Establish an engaging and motivating context in which to reach reading comprehension

• Help students see the benefits of reading 
• Create opportunities for students to feel successful
• CHOICE 
• Collaboration

The Seven Structures of Best Practice Teaching

After reading, The Seven Structures of Best Practice Teaching, by Zemelman, Harvey, and Hyde, I was able to reflect on what I am already doing and what I can do in the future.  Listed below are the best practices that I can incorporate to create a more student centered classroom.

Small-Group Activities:

Currently, I use literacy centers, math stations, Choice Board, and Read-to-Someone.  Next year, I would like to try to do more with writing such as peer editing.  This would give students the opportunity to provide and receive feedback from their peers.

Reading as Thinking:

I use the questioning techniques with students before, during, and after reading.  In the future, I would like to give students post-it notes to write their thinking and connections from reading.  I would also like to try the written conversation after reading technique mentioned.  I think this is something that would be time consuming at first, but very beneficial.

Representing to Learn:

Having students write and record their thoughts in a journal is a way for a teacher to read what students are thinking.  Next year, I would like to incorporate more writing by having the students reflect throughout the day on different lessons.

Classroom Workshop:

At the end of the year, I incorporated a Choice Board in which students were able to make choices about their reading and writing.  Making a choice was very powerful for my students.  This is something I want to continue next year.

Authentic Experiences:

Students need to have “real-world” experiences.  Next year, I want to give my students more opportunities to discover things on their own.

Reflective Assessment:

I would like to do more goal-setting with my students.  I also like the idea of choosing five students per day to write down observations.  These notes will help me when it is time for conferences.

Integrative Units:

Creating units based around a theme would be beneficial.  I would like to work on tying social studies, science, and health into reading. 

By incorporating the seven best practices in my teacher, I will be working toward creating a more student-centered classroom.  I look forward to implementing the above best practices in my classroom next year.

The Principle of Attention

 

After reading Chapter 2, The Principle of Attention, the following quotes were meaningful to me.

“If you want something to thrive and grow, pay attention to it.  On the other hand, if you want something to wither and diminish, don’t pay attention to it; intentionally ignore it.”

This quote was meaningful to me because I find myself getting caught up in the little things that often don’t matter.  I need to make sure that I pay attention to the big things in life and direct my focus there.

“Attention, in part, is an effort to be attuned to what’s happening around you by being grounded in who you are.” 

This quote stuck out to me because I feel that lately I haven’t been attuned to my surroundings.  I feel that I have been stressed with a lot of things to do and I haven’t been able to focus my attention to the people around me.  I need to work on refocusing my energy so that I can be grounded in what I am doing.

“What you treasure is where you put your heart.”

This quote was meaningful for me because things that are really important to me are where I spend a lot of time and energy.  For example, teaching my students is really important to me so I feel that I put a lot of time and energy there.  My family and friends is another example of what I treasure and put my heart in them.

Intention is the why behind what you do and attention is what you need to focus your energy on.   This summer I plan to be intentional with my work and give it my full attention.  If I set intentional goals to complete my work and give my attention to meeting those goals, it will make the summer work seem easier.

Praxis

After reading and researching about vocabulary instruction, I have learned a lot about best practices in teaching vocabulary.  One of the articles that sparked my attention was by Robert Marzano entitled The Art and Science of Teaching/Six Steps to Better Vocabulary Instruction.  Marzano describes six steps that can be used to increase vocabulary achievement.  His six steps include:

1.  Provide an explanation of the new term.
2.  Students write their own definition for the word.
3.  Students create a picture for the word.
4.  Engage students in vocabulary activities.
5.  Engage students in conversations with the words.
6.  Involve students with games.

Using the six steps with vocabulary instruction has changed the way I teach vocabulary.  Marzano states that it is important that all six steps are completed to see an increase in achievement.  Next year, I plan to continue using the six steps in my vocabulary instruction.

Another article I read was by Kimberly Tyson entitled Vocabulary Instructional Strategies: Marzano’s Six Step Process.  She discusses the importance of having effective vocabulary instruction and learning the words in multiple contexts.  Tyson also suggests using Robert Marzano’s six step process to teach vocabulary because it offers students the opportunity to experience the words in multiple contexts.  She also states the importance of being intentional when it comes to vocabulary instruction.  I truly believe that when teachers are intentional with vocabulary instruction, students will work to their potential and vocabulary achievement will increase.

This action research has helped me to see the benefits of using Marzano’s six step vocabulary process.  It has truly changed the way I teach vocabulary and has made a difference in my students’ understanding of vocabulary.