Creating Fluent Readers

While researching fluency and how it affects reading abilities, I came across an article written by Timothy Rasinski.  It is titled "Creating Fluent Readers".  This article discusses a growing body of evidence that reading fluency is an important factor in student reading success.  It defines reading fluency and proceeds to explain the three dimensions that build a bridge to comprehension.  The article brings up the best ways to assess fluency in young readers as well as the dangers of confusing fast with fluent.  This article is a great read for anyone looking to better understand fluency and its importance in our educational system.  I have attached the link the the article below.  Happy reading!
http://med.smumn.edu/sites/default/files/creating_fluent_readers.pdf

Backwards Design and Concept-Based Instruction

After reading Erickson’s article “Concept –Based Teaching and Learning” and Wiggens and McTighle’s article “Understanding by Design”, I was able to make several connections to the backwards design (BD) process.  These practices of concept- based  instruction(CBI) can transform my planning and the way I teach.

1. BD focusses on the child’s point of view when formulating questions.  CBI designs units that are meant for deeper understanding of concepts.

2. BD uses higher level questioning to engage students by allowing them the freedom to justify ideas through inquiry and construction.  CBI uses higher level questioning from Bloom’s Taxonomy.  Students who are engaged in their learning both intellectually and emotionally will be more engaged in the concept.

3. BD begins by asking an essential question to begin designing the unit.  CBI begins by developing  a unit around a central question.

4. BD encourages developing the understanding of a concept.  Curriculum involves scaffolding, not just pulling together random activities.  CBI emphasizes the curriculum being concept-based to foster a transfer of knowledge, understanding and engagement.

5. BD emphasizes student led questions rather than just teaching facts.  CBI brings the understanding out from the student rather than just telling them what to understand.

Clearly, there are connections between backwards design and concept-based instruction.  In my district, we have content specialists that design our curriculum beginning with essential questions.  They design the curriculum using the backwards design process.  In the classroom, my job is to make the actual teaching of the units fit my students’ understanding keeping in mind their prior experiences and questioning them in ways that will engage them.

Praxis Reflection-Fluency

                Fluency is an important piece of nearly every first grade classroom.  It is what we as teachers are striving to teach our students. I personally feel it the most critical piece to the first grade curriculum.  This is why I have chosen fluency as my action research project.  I believe that it is an essential part of teaching.  Fluency is involved in all aspects of the school day.  It incorporates more than just reading fast.  Fluency also involves comprehending what they read and if we do not teach students the importance of comprehending we are doing them a disservice.  

                My beliefs about fluency align accurately with my teaching practices.  Teaching all the aspects of reading, especially fluency, is a big part of the curriculum in our district.  We spend a large portion of the day teaching and practicing various reading components.  We have high expectations for fluency in first grade.  I spend a lot of time teaching skills whole group, then breaking them down into small group instruction.  I do lots of progress monitoring and interventions to ensure that all kids are making progress in their fluency.  Clearly, practicing fluency is an important part of our first grade day.

Intention: From My Perspective

 

                The idea of Intention has been very present in my mind these last few weeks.  After reading the chapter on Intention from Houston and Sokolow’s Spiritual Dimensions of Leadership, it really struck a chord with me.  Just the very idea of intention is so powerful and at times even a little scary.  It affects all areas of your life and who you are.  I feel that after reading this I have become both a better teacher and person.

                The power of intention has affected all areas of my life right now.  I have become a more thoughtful and present teacher.  I am much more aware of what I am doing and why – it’s not just about doing something because the curriculum says so.  This has impacted the kids as well.  They see me more engaged and are then more engaged themselves.  We are having better discussions as well because I have intention behind what I am asking them.  This has spilled over into my role as a colleague as well.  I am much more engaged and involved in helping those around me.  This time of year we tend to fall into a funk so this idea has come at a great time.  I feel like I have more of a positive view and attitude toward work and my role here.

                Intention has also affected my personal life as a wife, a mom, and a friend.  I have consciously tried harder these last few weeks to carry positive thoughts.  There is so much happening in my life right now – others too I’m sure!-that it is sometimes very overwhelming.  Between household chores, grad school, kids’ activities, trying to sell our house (what are we thinking?!), and trying to find time to spend with my husband life can be VERY busy!  I have been using the power of intention to continue to tell myself that I can handle it and it will all get done.  I tell myself to keep a positive attitude and to ask for help when necessary.  I have also used it to be more present and engaged when playing with my kids.  Life is so short and before I know it they will be too old to hang out with Mom (sad, right?) and will be headed off to college.  I need to have that intention of spending real quality time with them without thinking about all the other things I should/could be doing. 

                Intention can be a scary concept but it also can also be a motivator.  It all depends on your perspective.  How will you use intention in your life?

The Power of Intention

In my Masters of Teaching and Learning classes, we watched Cipher in the Snow and we read The Principle of Intention chapter from the book The Spiritual Dimension of Leadership by Houston and Sokolow.  When I first read this chapter, it reminded me a lot of The Secret.  Although I sometimes find this idea challenging, I truly believe in the power of intention and that what you put out into the universe does come back to you.  I liked the author’s reference to intention being like the ripples of a stone skipping across the water.  The effects of intention are never ending.  I used to really be in a negative place and wondered why my life was the way it was and when things would start to turn around for me.  Then my mother in law introduced me to the power of intention.  I have now realized that everything I have experienced has been the Divine’s plan for me and that every experience has led me to where I am.  I now try to live everyday with good intention and trust that things happen for a reason.  There are still certainly days where this thought is challenged and I find myself feeling below the line or like this whole idea is nonsense.  The real challenge then is to turn that thinking around.  I was also intrigued by the idea that “the moment you create a thought, you create potential action.”  I had never thought of this before.  This really makes me rethink my thoughts and how maybe I need to change my thought process and remember that what I give out is what I will get back.  I can practice this in my classroom when I am feeling burned out or when I am reacting to the negative energy from a coworker or a child’s actions.  All in all, intention is extremely important and the most powerful tool we have.  Knowing my intentions allows me to bring my thoughts to reality and bring about positive changes in my life and therefore others as well.