Module 6: Activity 1

As a first year teacher, the Weaver text has allowed me to come up with some great reading strategies to incorporate into my classroom. During my third grade placement, I realized that many of the reading strategies that Weaver discussed were modeled throughout my student teaching experience. I feel as though for the students who did not meet the standards, it is very important for the teacher to read aloud to the students. This will model fluency as well as expression. I found that throughout my student teaching experience, my students loved listening to a book being read to them. Another strategy that should be used is to allow students to read independently as well as with a small group of students. Creating literature groups allows you to focus on specific areas that the students need additional help in. My third grade students used something called a whisper phone. This was made out of pvc pipe and they were able to hear themselves read aloud. This is a great opportunity for the teacher to walk around and listen to students read as well as ask different reading comprehension questions. If the majority of the students were on free and reduced lunches, they may not have the proper resources at home in order to further their reading skills. Sending home books with children would be a great idea in order for them to have the same opportunity as other students in order to be provided the chance to read at home. Throughout my student teaching experience, some of the teachers that I worked with had students come in before school if they needed additional help in a particular area. This would be a great opportunity to work one on one with students who were struggling or needed a little extra help.