Module 4: Activity 2

           One of the most effective strategies in order to engage students in the lesson is to center the lesson on the interests of the students. I have found that when students do not have an interest in the particular book that they are reading, there is lack of motivation as well as comprehension. Even adults for example would rather read something of their interest, so why not provide students with the same opportunity? Not only is it important to have books that are centered on the students’ interests, but daily activities and lessons. Throughout my student teaching, I had several behavior issues in the classroom. I found out rather quickly that when I began to incorporate the students’ interests into the lessons that the behavior issues seemed to disappear. When I completed an interactive jeopardy game on adjectives, I included sentences as well as pictures that involved sports, activities, and other interests of my students. I found students who usually did not want to participate in the lesson almost jumping out of their seat to answer the questions. It was amazing to witness a drastic change in attitude as well as motivation throughout the entire class.

            When students are presented with a difficult reading that is beyond their reading level, I have found that students shut down. It is as if they lose complete confidence in themselves and therefore lack the motivation to read. This is why it is very important to match students with a text of their level. There is a difference between matching a student’s reading level to a text and hindering their ability to advance in a reading level.  In order to create an effective literacy instruction, I agree with Allington in that reading and writing should be connected. Throughout reading time with my students, there was always a writing activity involved. Often times the students were able to read a text with a partner or group, and then complete a follow up writing activity.

            When provided with a new group of students each year, I feel as though that is the necessary time to realize which teaching strategies are most effective and will meet the needs of each of the students. Some years there might be more whole group instruction and other years there might be less of it. Planning lessons on the needs of the students should be completed after recognizing their needs and what works best for them.