This week I got to go into a library and observe a guided reading program that was taking place. The librarian was very helpful when talking to her about some questions I have with early literacy. One of my first questions is how does she think the school is doing when it comes to promoting early literacy? She replied by saying that she thinks that the school district has implemented many new techniques for working with all students and reading. The new program has songs, books, and actions that relate the sounds of words and and letters together. I then asked her how the reading program is within the school district. She said that overall the reading program could use a little work but in a small school district getting the funding for new books every year and new programs can be difficult. After interviewing her I watched her and a first grade teacher perform what they call a guided reading center.
It was very exciting to see the children learning to read because their faces would light up when they could read and sound out new words. During the guided reading the teacher and librarian would allow the child to sound out the words on their own before helping out. I think that parents sometimes do not always allow for their child to do so because they do not want to see them struggling. She stated that she has three young boys and sometimes has a hard time letting them read out loud by themselves because she wants to help them out as soon as she hears that they are having trouble, natural instinct she said! This is an important learn step when it comes to reading. I know that in my classroom it can be hard for me and my assistant to not help the children sometimes and let them try to figure it out themselves. After the guided reading I was able to interview the teacher of the classroom while the students were read to. I asked her what sort of problems she encounters with her students and reading levels. One of the issues she brought up is that she feels like some of her students do not have the same amount of time at home to practice their reading or the same variety of books to read from as well. This was a realization for me because I guess I never really thought about how many books children have at home before. I also asked her what other ways she promotes literacy within her classroom and she showed me a sample book that she uses. She also said that she reads at least three times a day to the children because she feels the need to expand the child’s vocabulary by reading. Overall I had a great time interviewing and watching the children interact during their reading time.
Hello Britney
ReplyDeleteGreat Blog! I enjoyed reading about your experience, seems to me you had a blast. I think Literacy is very important, literacy starts at a very young age for children. Reading to your child is one of the best ways to promote vocabulary. Britney you mentioned a great point, "realization of how many books children really have at home", I think you have a big point I know children who have no books at home and rely on the school library or library, which is very sad. Literacy should be promoted in school and at home, children need to have access to books in order to expand their vocabulary.
One of my questions to you or if you see the librarian and the teacher again for future observation hours, did they do the activity as a whole group or small group? Did she separate the groups by the level students stand in? I asked because I use to work in a first grade classroom as a TA and our guided reading consisted of groups that helped the teacher asses students at their level. I remembered students moving to different groups as they continue to demonstrate growth.
I love the fact your site is at the library. They do so many reading activities for children. Great idea.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to see someone else interested in Literacy and education. It is such an important aspect of education and life. I also interviewed a librarian and found her to have a lot of knowledge and creative ways of increasing literacy. I am still in the process of learning what resources are available at a local and national level to promote reading and books at home.
ReplyDeleteI find your blog so interesting because it relates to mine! My school's librarian also does many of the similar programs. Songs, guided reading, and story time are some of the ways she used to teach literacy. I've found that the librarian and the special education teachers have a lot of knowledge with literacy and resources for this area.
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