Today in class we discussed “reading with agency” (Ehrenworth, 2010). “Reading with agency” is the idea that reading the thing we are going to be about this year, that students are going to focus their own energy on growing as a reader like never before (Ehrenworth, 2010). The students came up with ideas about what is needed to get really good at something, things like practice, expert help, friends to work with, tools or supplies, and interest in being good at that thing. According to reading research, readers need three things to thrive: 1) time to read, 2) books they think are fascinating, and 3) teaching by experts (Puffer, 2017).
We plan to give our students time, books, and expert instruction in language arts class this school year, and we hope you will strive to make sure they have access to those things at home as often as possible. You probably have some of your own ideas, but I thought I’d share with you a few of my ideas too, as a parent. Time to Read: As a parent, I will strive to ensure that my kids have undistracted time at home for reading. I am not sure if I will require them to read, but perhaps I will turn off the TV and music and sit to read myself for 30 minutes, if I can manage it. Most of all, I will allow my children to read in their beds before going to sleep every night. Fascinating Books: As a parent, I will take my children to the library as often as they need to go. I will engage with them as they choose books and help them find books they are interested in. Expert Teaching: As a parent, I will ensure that my children are at school if they are not sick. I will not allow my children to “lay out of school” because they do not want to go. I will ensure they attend every day that attendance is physically possible. If they must miss school, I will hold them accountable for making up missed work. Expert Teaching: As a parent, I will ensure that my children are at school if they are not sick. I will not allow my children to “lay out of school” because they do not want to go. I will ensure they attend every day that attendance is physically possible. If they must miss school, I will hold them accountable for making up missed work. Please feel free to contact us (your child's sixth grade language arts teachers) using the “Contact” link at the top of the page. We would love to hear from you! References Ehrenworth, M. (2010). Intellectual independence: An ambitious workshop for experienced readers. In Khan, H. A., Ehrenworth, M., & Mooney, J. Constructing curriculum: Alternate units of study. (pp. 61-150). Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann. Puffer, A. (2017). What Does Research Say Adolescent Readers Need? Retrieved from https://blog.heinemann.com/what-does-research-say-adolescent-readers-need
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Esther WilhelmI've been teaching in Walker County schools since 1999. I love helping students improve their reading skills. ArchivesCategories |