Journal Task Seven

May 15, 2007 in Teaching Reading

Reading Interview:

N.A    15/5/07        Female

1. Do you like to read?
*nods head* yes.
2. Where do you read?
On the couch at home.
3. What do you read?
Fairytale Books
4. Do you  read to…
a) learn    Yes
b) for fun
c) because I have to
d) no answer

5. Which of these would you prefer to read?
a) The Rainbow Fish
b) The Forest Yes
Why?
Because I like forests.
6. Which of these would you prefer to read?
a) picture book (just pictures)
b) website on on same topic Yes
Why?
Because I want to show my mum and dad.

J.T    15/5/07        Male

1. Do you like to read?
*nods head* yes.
2. Where do you read?
At school
3. What do you read?
Magic School Bus
4. Do you  read to…
a) learn    Yes
b) for fun
c) because I have to
d) no answer

5. Which of these would you prefer to read?
a) The Rainbow Fish Yes
b) The Forest
Why?
Because it’s my favourite book
6. Which of these would you prefer to read?
a) picture book (just pictures)
b) website on on same topic
Why?
“I don’t know”
How I would use this to inform my teaching:

• Expose them to a range of different text options, not just books.
• When introducing new options, start with the texts they already know, and then show the similarities to the new text.
• Use texts whos subject the students are interetsed in. For example, N.A liked Rainforests, and that’s why she chose that book.
• Start a home reading type of thing. I was talking to Chris (another teacher) and in her classroom they have only 20 books for the term that they go round to every student. At this age you can get away with just one level of reading because it’s not important that they read every time. The way we will work it is that the parents read them the book and the students follow along. Let them try to read it, and if they want to read the whole thing let them. The main purpose of it is to encourage a love of reading, and get them to start recognising more words and sounds.
• Talk about reading for enjoyment. Give students a chance to read just because they enjoy it.
• Demonstrate reading all the time for a variety of reasons.
• Use teacher talk when reading.
• Show that reading words isn’t the only way of reading- putting a focus on reading from the pictures, and being Meaning Makers (Four Resources Model).