Hopefully I will be able to really get into this book this week. Unfortunately I am not the fastest reader, and I have difficulty absorbing information through text.
However, a brief synopsis of the book is as follows:
“Do I really have to teach reading?” This is the question many teachers of adolescents are asking, wondering how they can possibly add a new element to an already overloaded curriculum. And most are finding that the answer is “yes.” If they want their students to learn complex new concepts in different disciplines, they often have to help their students become better readers.
Building on the experiences gained in her own language arts classroom as well as those of colleagues in different disciplines, Cris Tovani, author of I Read It, but I Don't Get It, takes on the challenge of helping students apply reading comprehension strategies in any subject. In Do I Really Have to Teach Reading?, Cris shows how teachers can expand on their content expertise to provide instruction students need to understand specific technical and narrative texts. The book includes:
examples of how teachers can model their reading process for students;
ideas for supplementing and enhancing the use of required textbooks;
detailed descriptions of specific strategies taught in context;
stories from different high school classrooms to show how reading instruction varies according to content;
samples of student work, including both struggling readers and college-bound seniors;
a variety of “comprehension constructors”: guides designed to help students recognize and capture their thinking in writing while reading;
guidance on assessing students;
tips for balancing content and reading instruction.
Cris's humor, honesty, and willingness to share her own struggles as a teacher make this a unique take on content reading instruction that will be valuable to reading teachers as well as content specialists.
Hi Don,
ReplyDeleteLooks like you book has a lot in common with the one I chose to read for Amy Benjamin "But, I am not a reading teacher". I still in chapter one. I will let you know who it goes, while I follow your blog.
Hi Don,
ReplyDeleteLooks like you book has a lot in common with the one I chose to read for Amy Benjamin "But, I am not a reading teacher". I still in chapter one. I will let you know who it goes, while I follow your blog.
I would like to hear more about some of the strategies that the books details. Can you post something on how she explains the modeling process? I took a class on it and I would like to see if she uses some of the same methods.
ReplyDeleteI would like to hear more about some of the strategies that the books details. Can you post something on how she explains the modeling process? I took a class on it and I would like to see if she uses some of the same methods.
ReplyDeleteWe have the same book! So it will be interesting on our views on the book! and dont worry worry i am right there with you about being a slow reader because i am the same way! To be honest i am still reading through articles that we have been assigned for our paper! I think as teachers that we need to be able help our students understand a text that we are assigning and realize that all our students are at different levels and be able to teach to that. I am hoping this author will explain some strategies to teach our class for the students that are different levels.
ReplyDelete“Do I really have to teach reading?” Should have been my book too! I am going to be an art teacher and at first I wasn't sure how this class was going to relate to me. This last week has been more interesting with the blogging. So far I really like it and can see myself setting up a classroom blog to show off my student's artwork. I am going to keep reading your posts to see if you have any tips for those of us we don't expect to teach much in the lines of literacy.
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ReplyDeleteI like what was said about modeling, I think that in anything you need to model. I look at lori as an art teacher and I think that the methods used to analyze and understand the full meaning of the art is as much reading as anything else. You have the explicit information and then you have the implied meaning and ideas that hide under the surface of it all. In the composition there are different mediums to use, just as in writing there are different ways to do it given the subject material, the ideas that you want to coinvey, as well as what your statement should be.
ReplyDeleteI like the ideas you presented specially the idea about choosing the books for reading. some teachers needs to know that there are many ways to provide students with a good choice of books. The book that you chose sounds interesting .
ReplyDeleteI'm reading the same book and I agree that she does give a unique take on content reading. It's like she is trying to teach us to teach ourselves.
ReplyDeleteI like the opening: “Do I really have to teach reading?” I had actually said those exact words when I thought, I am teaching science, not English. However, as I read more (blogs and books) I realise that reading is an integral part of learning science .. .like duh ... But in a different way from what I had thought.
ReplyDeleteReading, writing in a classroom is a different kind of language from social situations. In a classroom, there are specific ways of thinking, writing, speaking that actually allows for problems to be solved.
So when I see suggestions on how to get students interested in reading, I think .. I have more to learn!!
I like the opening: “Do I really have to teach reading?” I had actually said those exact words when I thought, I am teaching science, not English. However, as I read more (blogs and books) I realise that reading is an integral part of learning science .. .like duh ... But in a different way from what I had thought.
ReplyDeleteReading, writing in a classroom is a different kind of language from social situations. In a classroom, there are specific ways of thinking, writing, speaking that actually allows for problems to be solved.
So when I see suggestions on how to get students interested in reading, I think .. I have more to learn!!
Wow, it looks like you're off to an excellent start here. I appreciate your honestly that you struggle with reading and comprehension. That's nothing to be ashamed of, as we want to teach or students. Also, you set a great example for students; you are overcoming that and doing the work anyway. I think sometimes all young people need is someone like a mentor to relate to. Kids can be so cruel and judgemental; it's important to have someone they look up to. Great blog!
ReplyDeleteHi Don,
ReplyDeleteAlthough I am not an educator, to the book you choose I am especially interested in the "ideas for supplementing and enhancing the use of required textbooks" part. It looks like that except the normal way of using a textbook a teacher might be able to extract more from it and a student could also find something else to learn without getting bored by it too quick? This sound fun and I am very looking for it!
Expand on my content expertise? Wow, now that's a challenge. After thirty years away from my undergraduate science content, I find myself in a constant state of "catch up." Thank goodness for the internet, wikis and science websites like Discovery Education my book learnin' is coming back to my conscious mind.
ReplyDeleteDon, I think it is really tough to add another thing to our long lists of teaching. But agree with you that it is necessary if we want students to understand complex ideas wrapped up in our various content fields.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Eman about choosing a book. In addition I think it is crucial that the teachers be familiar with the text book and be able to guide students through the text book and teach them and ask them to read the important parts of it if some students are not interested to read the whole book.
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