I'm happily joining Kimberley from First in Maine today with more thoughts about Catching Readers Before They Fall. Click on the graphic to see what she's got to say. Her thoughts are always worth reading.
Chapter 8: Comprehension
What got me thinking...
"There is a danger in focusing too narrowly on each strategy for six to eight weeks with the entire class."
"Itemizing strategy instruction can be just as ineffective as teaching phonics in isolation."
"The teacher needs to begin with a desire to make meaning of a particular text, always keeping the focus on meaning, and then present the strategy as something that contributes to his or her understanding of the piece."
Reading this chapter hurt my brain a little, and I'm not sure one reading allowed me to completely take it all in or make it my own. The authors got me thinking though about how I incorporate comprehension strategies into my instruction. I'm not sure how to articulate the crux of the chapter, but that last quote is pivotal. Does my comprehension instruction start with a strategy ("Today kiddos, we're going to learn about...") or does it start with a text and my desire to make sense of it? I suppose there's a fine line between the two and one that some might find hardly worth mentioning, but I consider it important to ponder.
Chapter 9: Spotlight on Inferring and Summarizing
What got me thinking...
"Inferring is the heartbeat of comprehension. It is fused together with almost every other strategy. Children need to learn that readers think as they read - and that thinking can go far beyond what the words on the page actually say."
This chapter helped me realize that inferring is more important than I'd ever realized. It's pivotal to the way early readers comprehend and something worth thinking out loud about from day one. If it's the heartbeat, I need to treat it as such.
P.S. I also need to reread these chapters once school starts.
Sounds like a great book! I am enjoying reading your thoughts:)
ReplyDeleteTara
The Math Maniac
Tara, yep it is a good one. Thanks for reading my thoughts. :)
DeleteTammy, I read this book this summer too...I can not agree with you more. I had to go back and reread parts thinking (I do that...oh my!). This book had so much information that I too feel like I need to go back and reread parts. I don't know if you read Pat's first book but I think it's great too. Fantastic post! Melissa P.S. I am reading Share and Compare I will send you an email when I am done...so far...so good!!
ReplyDeleteMelissa, I haven't read Pat's first book. In fact, I didn't even know about it. I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on Share and Compare!
DeleteI always start with the text and when kids use strategies I pounce on them and give them a name:) That's what works for me. I'm one of those teachers who doesn't focus on individual strategies because if it's out of context I think it's meaningless. Also, I think it's way more fun and useful to just read and discuss. I realize I might be in the minority here but I'm okay with that. And I'm not saying it's the way to do it ... it's just what works for me:)
ReplyDeleteI read this book a couple of years ago but do you think I could find it today? I'm worried I gave it away. Haha!
I've been enjoying your insights (Kimberley's, too). Thank you!
Grade ONEderful
Ruby Slippers Blog Designs
Barb, I love your thoughts here and starting with the text is what I do with phonics but need to do with comprehension too. Hope you can find your copy of the book!
DeleteI think I am now firmly in the camp of not teaching specific strategies on specific days. I want to talk about it as it comes up. Sometimes that will be during a morning meeting message, sometimes during individual conferencing, sometimes during guided writing or reading. Thank you for your thoughts. We all come to this stuff in such different ways and with such different people. I love to read what you think. You are so thoughtful and I can't thank you enough for taking this journey with me.
ReplyDeleteKimberley
First in Maine
Kimberley, I'm heading that direction. It's the way I teach so many other things, so it makes sense that comprehension instruction would be the same. Thanks for inviting me on your journey. It's been a good one.
DeleteThese are great thoughts on comprehension. Being able to infer as we read is extremely important. I especially like that children need to learn that readers think as they read.
ReplyDeleteLori
Conversations in Literacy
Lori, I liked the idea that inferring is intertwined with all the other comprehension strategies. It's pretty important for sure.
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