I also agree that developing an intrinsic drive to appreciate reading tops the list of priorities for a good reading teacher. Talking to the kids about what they are reading and arming them with good reading tools gives them the edge on their journey to appreciating reading. The only thing that I am troubled with is how do you assess the pleasure principle? I understand that by conferencing with students you can tell if they are truly reading and comprehending, but how do you give that a number? As teachers we are required to assess and give grades. Any chance of scrapping report cards? Standardized testing? College transcripts?
Sunday, November 1, 2015
Kim Riddle Pleasure Principle 1
Nancie Atwell makes some great points about motivating students to enjoy reading. My favorite point was "eliminate- or at least reduce- frustration." As a child I could totally relate to the frustration element of reading. I absolutely hated reading until college, because I did not understand the Reader's Bill of Rights. Once I figured out that it was OK not to finish a book, that I could skip pages and browse, and best of all, the right not to defend my tastes in books, the ocean of reading opened up and I could dive in. How wonderful it is to vanish "into an invisible world!"
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You bring up some really good questions! I am also grappling with the difference between "assessments" and "grades." I'm thinking they are related, but not always equal. If I can't put a number on it, does that mean I don't do it? Or do I find creative ways to turn progress over time into a grade? Do we assess on a rubric that prioritizes reading behaviors that we know healthy readers practice? And yes, how do we change current report card/testing cultures to reflect what is truly best for students?
ReplyDeleteHi Kim,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your thoughtful questions. I know that our students are currently assessed in multiple ways through state and national standardized tests as well as summative assessments that we have that results in end of nine week grades. Melissa and I want to encourage you and all of our teachers to work with us to create assessments that match what we teach and provide our students with valuable feedback. One way you can assess the pleasure principle would be an independent reading rubric for their sustained engagement with a text. Thanks, Dawn