I'm glad that you mentioned that the reading process is different for every student, and each student progresses and learns at a different rate. It's unfair to place harsh expectations on elementary school students, as they simply can't be expected to all be on the same level. I find it really unfortunate that teachers are judged by the performance of their students on tests, especially in regards to reading.
Passing tests and getting good grades seem to be the common thread between all of our posts this week. Your idea about linking test-taking anxiety to reading before children even have a chance to enjoy learning how to read and have fun doing it in their leisure time is so true. We should want our kids to love reading. If we bombard them with tests right away that make them feel like inadequate readers, we are taking away the time they should want to spend reading and filling it with a sense of uneasiness.
I am encouraged by your passion for helping students become life long readers. That sick feeling in your stomach can be a motivator for you to learn everything you can about reading (a life long process, really), so that you can be an advocate for effective reading programs as well as help you to make wise choices about what you implement in your reading program.
I agree with you about what shouldn't be included in the reading process. I also believe that when we connect test taking with reading early on, we discourage reading for pleasure because connecting the stress of a test to reading will encourage the student to shutdown around reading. I have the same sick feelings you have. I read for pleasure everyday (for as long as I can remember) and to think that we could be killing that desire to read during free time is appalling.
I'm glad that you mentioned that the reading process is different for every student, and each student progresses and learns at a different rate. It's unfair to place harsh expectations on elementary school students, as they simply can't be expected to all be on the same level. I find it really unfortunate that teachers are judged by the performance of their students on tests, especially in regards to reading.
ReplyDeletePassing tests and getting good grades seem to be the common thread between all of our posts this week. Your idea about linking test-taking anxiety to reading before children even have a chance to enjoy learning how to read and have fun doing it in their leisure time is so true. We should want our kids to love reading. If we bombard them with tests right away that make them feel like inadequate readers, we are taking away the time they should want to spend reading and filling it with a sense of uneasiness.
ReplyDeleteI am encouraged by your passion for helping students become life long readers. That sick feeling in your stomach can be a motivator for you to learn everything you can about reading (a life long process, really), so that you can be an advocate for effective reading programs as well as help you to make wise choices about what you implement in your reading program.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about what shouldn't be included in the reading process. I also believe that when we connect test taking with reading early on, we discourage reading for pleasure because connecting the stress of a test to reading will encourage the student to shutdown around reading. I have the same sick feelings you have. I read for pleasure everyday (for as long as I can remember) and to think that we could be killing that desire to read during free time is appalling.
ReplyDelete