What do good readers do: Thinking about your thinking, what would change as a teacher?
Regardless of my thinking (anxiety, nervous, worried about my own reading skills) I would be forced to change as a teacher. Forced is a little too harsh, but I would be motivated to ensure my reading success as I am now a model for my students to emulate. That doesn't mean I change overnight, or pretend that I am some avid reader in front of my students. It means that I need to enlist the to good readers' habit and adapt myself to ensure my own literary success. In doing so, I can become a "cheer leader" of sorts for those struggling readers who need that encouragement to keep with it and persevere through their assignments.
There is nothing better than honesty when dealing with your students. Sharing your true history with literature, and how you are trying to change, will strike a chord with some of your students.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I find it to be easier to build a rapport with people by being open and honest with. It is a hard pill to swallow in a leadership position to show a little vulnerability, but the trade off is worth it.
DeleteYour students will have a level of respect for you if you are real with them. When I first started teaching, I would be so embarrassed if I mispronounced a word when reading aloud and then I realized that it makes for a great, teachable moment.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more. There is constant opportunities to have a teachable moment, but your comment is probably one of the best. Stopping, identifying, and correcting the verbal stumble of your own mistakes (as an educator) shows that it is not something to brush over (as most will not go back to look up the word, etc.).
DeleteThank you. I fear that they will correct me. I feel that over time we will develop an understanding of a book/text better than the first read. Therefore, I am a person that will read, re-read, look up words, definition, pronunciations and more. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteNo worries. Thanks for your reply. I think it is inherent for students to knit pick their educator's follies, but being open to criticism shows a familiar vulnerability that students who struggle can connect with.
DeleteShowing the students that you, yourself, are a work in progress as a reader is a great example for them to follow and to know that everyone isn't perfect but their efforts will pay off in the end.
ReplyDelete-Darrien
I think it would be very beneficial for students to see that you had evolved into a good reader by learning how to be one. That would give them hope of becoming one too, if they are not a strong reader.
ReplyDelete