I apologize in advance for my Yodio. I am fighting the flu, and I am not sure how much sense I am making tonight. I do not like recording very much when I am not sick, so this was interesting. Here is my Week Three Yodio post.
I agree with your observations about the teaching of reading in the classroom, and how immediate corrections can be disheartening for early readers. As for letters, I wonder what Smith refers to when he says "teach individual letters". Would it be okay to introduce a letter as the "letter of the day", for example? While I could see the merits in Smith's theories, I think proper explanation would have helped considerably.
I think Smith is opposed to the "letter of the day" plan, and even letters in sets, because he feels that would take the letters out of their natural context. My understanding is that he thinks kids should learn sounds, letters and words by discovering them in context. For example, in a book someone is reading to them. In the paragraphs following the 9 things teachers are doing wrong, he states, "...the solution requires that the teacher should ensure there is someone, if only another child, to read for children what they cannot read for themselves. if the child can't read at all, a teacher or another helpful reader must do all the reading, or provide the necessary clues for the child." I think this does go against what is happening in schools now, but it makes total sense to me. Naturally, the child becomes adept at reading during this process, and eventually can read and understand what they read on their own. I totally love this approach! :)
I hope you are feeling better, Kara. Interesting observations you have had in Kindergarten. I have not had the opportunity to work in a Kindergarten class so didn't know the system in place for teaching letters. I also think Smith is opposed to teaching letters individually, rather than when children are learning to use those letters in words. I have seen kids breakdown when corrected too quickly as well. I think if we have faith (which requires patience too) that they have more smarts than what we are giving them credit for, their learning will evolve at a better pace. Good work.
I agree with your observations about the teaching of reading in the classroom, and how immediate corrections can be disheartening for early readers. As for letters, I wonder what Smith refers to when he says "teach individual letters". Would it be okay to introduce a letter as the "letter of the day", for example? While I could see the merits in Smith's theories, I think proper explanation would have helped considerably.
ReplyDeleteI think Smith is opposed to the "letter of the day" plan, and even letters in sets, because he feels that would take the letters out of their natural context. My understanding is that he thinks kids should learn sounds, letters and words by discovering them in context. For example, in a book someone is reading to them. In the paragraphs following the 9 things teachers are doing wrong, he states, "...the solution requires that the teacher should ensure there is someone, if only another child, to read for children what they cannot read for themselves. if the child can't read at all, a teacher or another helpful reader must do all the reading, or provide the necessary clues for the child." I think this does go against what is happening in schools now, but it makes total sense to me. Naturally, the child becomes adept at reading during this process, and eventually can read and understand what they read on their own. I totally love this approach! :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you are feeling better, Kara. Interesting observations you have had in Kindergarten. I have not had the opportunity to work in a Kindergarten class so didn't know the system in place for teaching letters. I also think Smith is opposed to teaching letters individually, rather than when children are learning to use those letters in words. I have seen kids breakdown when corrected too quickly as well. I think if we have faith (which requires patience too) that they have more smarts than what we are giving them credit for, their learning will evolve at a better pace. Good work.
ReplyDelete