Children learn to read by reading but not without instructional support. I agree with this statement. I have seen students who can read but they need guidance to receive more understanding from certain texts. Children need to read to become thoughtful, strategic, and proficient readers. Reading will help children learn more about themselves, other people, and the world around them. When the children read, they learn that reading is something they can do that empowers control on their lives.
Teachers must remember that students need time to practice reading, make their reading practice productive, and they need the tools to provide them with instruction. Independent reading practice framed by instruction needs to happen everyday. The teacher should allow the students to have their hands and minds on great books. The teacher can confer with the students about reading and themselves as readers. It would be just the teacher, students, and the books. This sounds GREAT to me!!!! This would help me show the students what behaviors they need to practice as they read. It would give me opportunities to monitor and give feedback on how the students are using the behaviors. The structured opportunities for the students to read will help them make meaning of the text, and help the students choose the right books for reading.
From this post, I can tell you see the importance of conferring with your students and allowing time for independent reading every day. I would love to come watch this time in your classroom--it is one of my favorite instructional structures!
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