How has our country's history led us to where our country, states, and local areas are now approaching and legislating reading and writing instruction?
Use prior knowledge, the textbooks, and any other relevant sources to make your post.
Do not exceed 50 words on each post you make.
Looking back into the 1800s, you can see where people were beginning to think about the process of reading. The earliest text began with the alphabet and worked its way up. Now, researchers and legislators are looking at that process to develop new ways to help teachers be more effective.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first thought about this question, this progression is what I thought of. I can remember reading and learning about students learning the alphabet and religion, followed by writing sentences and learning more about values and morals. Since that time they continued by adding the importance of reading because they wanted everyone to be able to read the Bible and so forth. I think it has been a slow growth in education and then the addition later to the government wanting to 'control' and regulate what was being taught.
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DeleteIt is also interesting to think about the change in curriculum regarding religion. Initially religious components of education were embedded into the curriculum. Currently in most schools religious education is highly frowned upon.
DeleteI too think it is interesting that the religious component that was once so important is no longer allowed. Teachers need to watch what they say when it comes to religious views.
DeleteKatrina, How do you think early Americans controlled or legislated instruction? Did they? You are right that there was more focus on the the smaller parts of reading in the 17 and 1800's.
ReplyDeleteThinking back to the text and other readings I remember, I think, that early Americans passed a few laws such as the Massachusetts Bay School law in the 1600s, that required parents to teach their children about religious and moral values. Also, people like John Locke and Thomas Jefferson spoke out about educational value.
ReplyDeleteI found it interesting that our involvement in the world wars had a significant impact on how we approach reading instruction. WWI marked the beginning of widespread educational and intelligence testing in an attempt to identify men who would make strong leaders. WWII brought with it the age of content area literacy when it was found that there were many soldiers who couldn't comprehend training manuals. Testing/assessment and content area literacy are two factors of reading instruction that continue to be relevant and current areas of focus for legislation and research.
ReplyDeleteI also find this interesting. It's intriguing how wars can influence reading and writing instruction.
DeleteI also found this interesting. One can only wonder what effects our current economic status will have on our future. I am especially worried since I was taught reading in the years 1990-1995 which is when the more holistic and integrated methods were used and then fell into disfavor. I'm concerned for the well-being of my generation and the generation they will/are creating.
DeleteI found it interesting as well. Even thinking more on it, the economy/war is still effecting us today with large class sizes and decreasing staff in schools. Hopefully we see a turn around soon!
DeleteJackie, I was taught during holistic methods and to this day, I still have a hard time with phonics. I agree that will be interesting to see how our future will be with regards to reading.
DeleteKatie, I remember the first time I read about WWI and the literacy requirements. I was surprised and intrigued. Becky, I agree about the economy and war and society influencing the direction of reading instruction.
DeleteI was taught to reading using phonics, while my sister was taught to read using whole language. I love to read while my sister dreads reading. I often wonder if the way we were taught to read is responsible for our feelings towards reading. Sadly many of my students at the high school were taught to read using whole language. As a result many of them have difficulty blending phonemes to sound out new words.
DeleteHonestly, I did not learn the rules of phonics until I had to teach it. I have been learning to spell with my students! My parents think it is the funniest thing ever:)
DeleteJackie, I guess I unknowingly learned phonic as a student in elementary school. However, I as a secondary teacher I received no formal education or enlightenment about the details of phonics until I was working on my Special Education certificate. I have to say I was terrified of taking my phonics class and struggled through the first few weeks being very intimidated. I have to say I think it is good for a teacher to struggle every once in a while so that we can be more empathetic towards students who at times have difficulties.
DeleteJackie, this was exactly the case with me; I did not learn phonics until I started teaching and I am a kindergarten teacher so you can see the importance in which phonics plays when teaching reading. I also agree that the method we learn by has some responsibility for whether or not we like reading. I was taught to read using whole language and I did not enjoy reading as much when I was growing up/a young adult.
DeleteI often wonder what really happened with Whole Language. When I began teaching, whole language was the latest and greatest. I hear so many people talk about how phonics was not included, I DID teach phonics within the whole language framework. This is not the first time I have heard this. I spent a lot of time listening to Ken Goodman (the father of Whole Language) and he never denounced phonics, you just had to incorporate it within what you were doing.
DeleteI agree with Jeanne. There needs to be a balance between teaching phonics and using Whole Language within a classroom. As the Spell Bowl coach at our school, I see a huge need for teaching phonics rules and have learned many rules that I just followed but didn't truly know.
DeleteKatie, I agree with you. It does seem interesting that the wars played a part in shaping the way we teach reading. I wonder if future wars will continue to change that; How will other factors (space travel, continual technology integration, etc.) continue to shape the future of reading instruction?
DeleteIn my classroom I was a program called the Phonics Dance. This really helps students learn their phonics skills and and the many rules. When I was in school I was not really taught the phonic rules. This program has many songs that I often hear students signing when sounding out words and in there writing.
DeleteI am going to have to look into the Phonics Dance. I teach reading, so anything where I can incorporate dancing or music, would be wonderful.
DeleteI also found it interesting that the wars and the economy play such a big role in literacy. I don't think people realize the impact that wars and the status of the economy have on education.
DeleteI also found it interesting that wars and the economy have such an impact on education. Even today, some practices are still kept in education.
DeleteI have never heard of the Phonics Dance! During my school days, I learned phonics from the basal and the endless amount of worksheets. I am always looking for a better way to teach phonics.
Erin & Melissa,
DeleteIs the Phonics Dance a curricular program by itself or something you use in addition to your reading curriculum?
Reading through everyone's comments about remembering Phonics in literacy, I found it interesting that many of us do not know the phonics rules. Two comments reminded me of the need to balance literacy instruction. You often hear the phrase "Sound it out" to our children when they became frustrated with their reading. I use this phrase often. This phrase dominates my suggestions to student that struggle with their decoding, until I attend a 1st grade parent orientation for my daughter. The teacher asked us to avoid prompting our students to just “Sound it out”. I was so glad to hear the other suggestions that she gave parents to support using comprehension skills and allow students to use clues about the word to decode. While phonics and phonemic awareness are important, they each are not the sole route to understanding while reading. This was also confirmed while working with my ELL students. When students follow all of the phonics rules without a thought about meaning or context, then their reading does not make sense to them. My ELL students are Amish, and their 1st language sounds do not match the English sounds and because of this, using phonics to sound out the word does not work for them. These students do better looking at the whole word within context and discussing the word's meaning. From this, I have come to realize that what works for one doesn’t work for all.
DeleteI am excited to hear about a "Phonics Dance". My Kindergarteners love any form of movement and often I have them completing motions for practice in spelling their word wall words. I will definitely be looking into the "phonics dance". Thanks for the idea!
DeleteErin, I want to get a hold of the phonics dance you mentioned. Where can I get this? I remember being in 3rd grade (many years ago, I'm 41) and the teachers talking about teaching phonics. They decided that 1/2 of the 3rd grade would receive phonics instruction and the other half wouldn't. I was in the half that did not. I was asked to be the RtI teacher this year and it has been horrible for me to try and teach phonics. I even thought about seeing if their was a Phonics for Dummies book available for me to read this summer. I have never struggled as a reader but I do struggle with spelling. I need to learn how to teach phonics in a better way. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
DeleteI agree with Katrina that reading started out with an alphabetic approach, books were written in didactic texts. Now, reading is viewed as a wider element. We look at the 5 components of reading and we correlate it with writing as a way to teach literacy. With the advancements in technology, we can only expect to see more movements toward advancing literacy.
ReplyDeleteI do see some similarities with the way reading was taught in the 17th and 18th century and the way reading is currently taught today. In the Reading Without Tears book that was referenced in our text, there are examples of how reading instruction started with alphabet and sound letter correspondences then moved to sentence level and eventually story level. Some current reading instruction is based on this same type of building block method.
DeleteI was intrigued by the title: "Reading Without Tears" in our textbook. My school currently uses a "Handwriting Without Tears" program. It is interesting to see how titles come and go throughout the years.
DeleteThe earliest book used in America, The Horn Book, included the alphabet, verses, and short stories. Through time, reading instruction has become more advanced. It is continuously being reviewed, revised, and expanded to meet the needs of the students, and to help them become successful readers and writers.
ReplyDeleteMy mother has a horn book. I always played with it as a kid and thought it was so interesting. It was neat to read about it in chapter one.
DeleteThat's awesome. I would love to see one in person!
DeleteAlthough I do agree with you Andrea, I can say now (coming from a country in educational reform) that it is not necessarily about wanting to meet the needs of all students and help them become sucessful readers and writers, it is about the government wanting the students (the future of the country) to be at the top of the game. And this can mean leaving half the students to fend for themselves as long as there are some students who can achieve greatness. (I must note that I am not speaking of the US but other countries do not necessarily care about meeting the needs of all students.)
DeleteWow Heather, you are so right about other countries not wanting or feeling it necessary to meet the needs of all students. It scares me that some of our legislators seem to be falling down that same path. Although they say "no child left behind" they seem to still push for all students to be on the same page at the same time -- leaving very little accommodations for those that require additional assistance. Let's face it, not everyone can learn the same thing at the same rate.
DeleteJeanne I couldn't agree more. Certainly we don't want to leave any kids behind, but realistically every student is not going to learn at the same rate. Instead of pushing for unrealistic final achievement we need to focus on a comprehensive plan of interventions to bring students up to speed in an achievable time frame.
DeleteAs teachers we are expected to teach our students at their various levels and paces. However, when it comes to testing, such as the I-STEP, there is very little differentiation. I am in hopes that the growth model will improve how we perceive our students--not just pass or fail.
DeleteI would like to see a horn book in person. My students think I learned to read using a chalk tablet (I am only 42 mind you).
DeleteI also think something else is going on here. The government wants to privatize education at least in Indiana. That is my opinion. I cannot say it is a fact. Currently I believe government has an agenda to be less tied to the financial aspects of teaching. This is apparent in Indiana in the lack of revenue at the state and the district level. Communities are not supporting referendums for necessary things like bussing.
DeleteSeveral people talked about our government wanting all students to be at the same place at the same time and it worries me as well. All students are different and learn differently. I believe that we need to be finding interventions to help students be successful. It might be a slower process to the end goal but at least they're moving on and achieving.
DeleteI agree that getting all kids to the same place at the same time...is not necessarily a realistic idea. I will say as a person who moved a few times during my pre-college life, I do think it would be helpful to have an order of classes so to speak. Once again I think my perspective is a little different since I am a secondary teacher. But it is very difficult for kids to move into new schools because the curriculum order for classes is different at every school and from state to state. It puts students who change schools at a huge disadvantage. Maybe someone speculate if this is a secondary issues only.
DeleteDr. Walker, I agree with your opinion about the Indiana wanting to privatize education due to the lack of revenue. Our school system is feeling the effects of the new state laws regarding education. Our system is in the process of having to lay off many first and second year teachers throughout the district. Plus we are losing our literacy coaches! This feels more like an attack on education than supporting our student's learning.
DeleteWhat a wonderful keepsake! My mother has an old-fashioned school desk and some original McGuffy Readers that I love. You are lucky to have a Horn Book in your family.
DeleteI feel that we are expected to teach every student at their own level but we are not provided with the resources, time, or training to be able to do so. I also feel that the government is "taking over" education. I wanted to be a teacher 25 years ago but waited until I was 35 to go to college. I am finishing my 1st year teaching at the age of 41. Things have changed so much and it is really scary. It is easy for the government to tell us what we need to do and set the expectations but wouldn't it be wonderful if some of those people would spend time in the classroom and really see that we are more then just teachers. We are parents to the children that do not have parents, we are the people who make sure they don't go hungry and have clean clothes. We provide the care for injuries and lice :) in addition to dealing with CPS or any other issue. If all I had to do all day was teach, this would be a lot easier of a job. Teaching is so much more and I don't think the government is supportive in all we do. I'm not a political person at all. This is just my opinion:)
DeleteI found the reading to be very interesting to see where reading began and how far we have come. It is evident that throughout time, research and trial and error was used to determine the best reading instruction. The economy has also affected our reading instruction.
ReplyDeleteI too found that interesting in the reading. The district that I teach in is fairly wealthy so the economy has not really affected us to much. Some of my friends teach in poor districts and say that they have been using the same reading series for years. They just don't have the funding for new materials.
DeleteUnfortunately in my district we have a lot of lower income families. Teachers have to use their own money to supply most of what we need since families don't have the means to help with book rental and supplies. For instance, this year I had to provide supplies, folders, and materials for small guided reading groups. When I worked at my first school, parents gave so much and were always asking what else they could help give.
DeleteBecky, my school system is mostly free and reduced lunch. As you said parents and the school provide little in the way of instructional materials. I am endlessly shopping for extras out of my own wallet. It is darn near impossible for me to get any parental involvement at home when it comes to supporting academics. Most of the parents and some have even explicitly said "they are your problem for the 8 hours a day you have them at school"
DeleteThe impact the budget cutback is having has been widely felt in many school districts. I also illuminates a flaw in the way schools are funded. The wealthy districts haven't really felt the pinch, but the larger, poorer districts are struggling to stay afloat. It is a disservice to the children who need the most support. It is an example of the "rich getting richer and poor getting poorer" in education.
DeleteHere is an interesting note when making comparisons. In the early days of our country and pretty much consistently until there was organized representation for teachers (20th century), teachers were at the whim of the community. They could be dismissed while actually teaching a lesson to children. I thought days like that were gone, but in Indiana it seems like we may be coming back toward teachers having less rights say in their job.
ReplyDeleteDr Walker, I agree teaching positions seem to be unstable at this point. Much of the community fails to see teaching as a profession and instead believes teachers to be merely babysitters or unskilled labor. Senate Bill 5 in the State of Ohio is a prime example of the lack of respect for the teaching profession. Unions protect the integrity of good teachers who may employ best practices, yet still be struggling to bring some students up to grade level reading skills. I myself have experienced practices and standard protocol which are in direct opposition to obvious actions needed to ensure meeting students academic needs.
DeleteI agree that teachers seem to lack the rights and respect that come with other professions. Teachers in Indiana can be let go with in the first five years for no reason and have to continuously have professional development; most other professions do not require the amount of PD that teachers are required. Tenure seems to be a thing of the past making it hard for teachers to be sure of where they will be able to maintain a job and their family.
DeleteI agree as well. Teachers no longer are given the respect that they deserve. I personally feel it's because of all the negativity the public hears about how education in the U.S. is not what it should be. I believe the behavior issues in the classroom in today's time didn't exist to the extent they do now. I believe that parents are not supporting teachers at home so students don't respect teachers the way they used to. Too much blame is given to the education system because it's an easy target.
DeleteThis is very true about behavior issues, especially parents not allows supporting teachers. I thought it was bad in the US, but when I moved to the UAE it is even worse because you have no support from administration or from parents and the behavior issues are far worse. Throwing chairs, biting, hitting, punching, kicking, etc. can all be the daily norm in many classes.
DeleteIt is amazing that our profession demands so much training but yet, we are quickly being dubbed as unimportant and disposable. I agree with Sarah that negativity being spread is part of why there is a lack of support for teachers. I feel that the negativity is somewhat on purpose to sort of "pass the buck". It's very sad because I really feel that recent research was going to make a huge difference in our students' success levels, but I'm not sure anyone will be around long enough to implement it!
DeleteDr. Walker,
DeleteIt certainly is an interesting and unstable time in the realm of teaching. Some of my colleagues continually tell me that people are "crazy" for going into education these days. Some days I would agree with them (especially on a Friday afternoon late in May). However, for the most part I disagree with them. We all must remember why we took on this career in the first place. It was to teach the leaders of tomorrow - to help them make better and more informed decisions. Even with the turmoil and lack of security currently taking place, I still would not want any other career. And I say that even as I approach a Friday afternoon late in May. =)
Adrienne,
DeleteI applaud your positive attitude. We did become teachers to help shape the leaders of tomorrow. However, this might be a frowned upon attitude I do believe in some instances children may be beyond our help in the current educational situation. For example, I have had several students who are incarcerated for a period of time and then come back to school. In most cases the environment at a typical high school doesn't seem to fit their needs. I actually think perhaps an alternative school might be better for them. They could get more individual attention. On the flip side many of the students coming back from jail into my classroom tend to be disruptive to the extreme. The other kids in my classroom are the ones to suffer. For example about a month ago I had a student set a rather large fire in my classroom. An entire days worth of instruction was lost, not to mention the stress for my students and myself.
Dr. Walker, I heard the same rumor that students would be able to move onto the next grade but have to receive their language arts instruction at the third grade level. This just does not make a lot of sense. If this happens, then when would they receive 4th grade language arts instruction?
DeleteDr. Walker, it is amazing to think that a teacher could be dismissed while teaching a lesson! I agree that times are becoming difficult for teachers in Indiana. I also agree that even in these difficult times, and towards then of May, I can confidently say that I LOVE my job. Teaching is a wonderful occupation and I think if we remember our students and the reasons we became teachers initially that will help carry us through!
DeleteThis is a scary time to be a new teacher! I recently went to a seminar and the key note speaker said that it takes a new teacher at least 5 years to really be effective. I don't have 5 years...I have to be highly effective and prove that or lose my job. It is difficult enough to find a teaching job and then to be in fear of losing it at any moment. Add to that, being highly educated is a bad thing, and so is experience? It's just crazy.
DeleteStill awaiting the arrival of my book, it has shipped...I will be posting as soon as I receive and get the reading done...Interesting comments so far....
ReplyDeleteJodi,
DeleteI am having the same issue! :-) Still waiting!
I just got mine yesterday (I had to pay an extra $16 to get it shipped overnight) -- when I ordered from the bookstore it was back ordered -- but I will say they got it in quickly.
DeleteMe too! Love reading all of these posts though. This is going to be a great class!
DeleteYou can order the book through Coursesmart and have it right away. However, I hate reading the book online and would rather have it in hand to highlight. If you can cancel your order and wanted another option, coursesmart is available and it wasn't much over $20
DeleteVogt & Shearer suggest reading practices prior to 1867 were harsh enough to bring kids to tears. While in early 2000 the balanced literacy approach came into favor. The balanced literacy approach clearly utilizes strategies implemented to ensure the individual success of each student. Reading practices have shifted from educating the masses with a one size fits all plan to a lets see what each student needs approach. Even understanding best practices I have personally witnessed my school system taking an archaic approach in attempt to decrease the literacy gap. Instead of providing "explicit systematic instruction in phonics as well as instruction in specific comprehension skills and strategies" (Recommendations from NRP and CIERA reports), I have witnessed my interventions such as placing students in class and providing them will silent reading time and an instructor who in not certified in Reading.
ReplyDeleteSo, their intervention consists of removing the child or children from the others and having them read silently? Are they given instructional level text or the text for the grade level they are in currently?
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DeleteThe situation is horrible. They have a class of approximately 10 kids. The first 35 minutes of class they are given current grade level materials to read silently. I have talked with several language arts people and I basically asked if the kids have trouble reading how is 35 minutes of silent reading going to help. It seems absurd to me. I know the teacher and students discuss the text to determine how much comprehension is happening. As far as I know they are doing very little to help build skills related to phonemic awareness, fluency, decoding and comprehension. It probably comes as no surprise these "Reading" classes have some of the worst discipline issues in our school. Quite honestly I feel sad for our kids that my school isn't attempting to use any best practices in Reading literacy. I also can't understand putting someone with no "Reading" expertise in charge of developing the reading program. The situation is unforgivable in my mind.
DeleteI have heard of this kind of thing happening but this is the first full description. I am saddened very much for the children.
DeleteIn Indiana, there is now a state law that children have to pass the 3rd grade level reading test to go to the next grade level. At the same time, there are many districts receiving little assistance and monetary support to help the children who failed in the spring get ready to take the 2nd version at the end of the summer. If the children do not pass the second test, they cannot pass.
The I-READ 3 test that determines if students pass the third grade was given for the first time this year. Thankfully, many schools had a high percentage of students passing the test. As a third grade special education teacher, my colleagues and I spent a lot of time thinking about this exam this school year. Dr. Walker brings up a good point that schools are not being compensated for the remediation they are required to give the students who do not pass. I have heard a few different outcomes for the students that do not pass the second time. The latest information I read, I believe, states that these students are required to take the third grade I-STEP and I-READ test the following school year.
DeleteKristen, that is interesting. I was wondering how they would move forward after retaining the children. I have heard rumors that the children will move into 4th grade and have 3rd grade instruction. I do not know what to think about that, because if they were in 4th grade I would hope they would receive appropriate instruction regardless. Sigh.
DeleteDr.Walker, it is the same thing in Florida. Students have to pass the reading and writing test in order to move up grade levels. It is sad, especially for those children who try really hard and just do not get enough support.
DeleteKatrina, Are you teaching in Florida? I was just down there. There are so many issues going on in education there. Also, Indiana in basically following in lock-step with Florida.
DeleteI taught there in the late 80s. It was a very different world then. They wanted to hire people with Masters in reading, they had a lot of resources, and test scores were indicators, not everything.
These conversation reminds me a lot of one of the schools I taught at where the top 20% receive extra help because they are 'gifted', the bottom 20% receive extra help because they are Title 1, and the other 60%...well they were left with no extra support, nor were they pushed to achieve at the levels that could have with even a little bit of extra or small group intructional time.
DeleteHeather, that is always a concern. Always.
DeleteDr. Walker, I am teaching in Florida. I am in a small Catholic School, so I do not have to deal with many of the issues facing the public schools right now. However, my sister-in-law and her husband both teach in public schools. It is not pretty down here at the moment. They have been trying to pass laws that base pay by test scores, which is horrible. These schools live by FCAT, our standardized test. It makes everything so stressful!!
DeleteMy son is in the 3rd grade this year. The night before the I-READ 3 test, he cried himself to sleep because he was so nervous he would have to retake 3rd grade again. My son tested extremely high on the language portion of the gifted and talented test. What are we doing to our kids?
DeleteT. Whitaker -- I will say what you are describing is horrifying to me! At my school we have worked very hard to ensure that students requiring remediation receive exactly what they need. We schedule times where ALL of my students are in groups (5 different ones). We are constantly looking at data to see if interventions need changed. We have made certain that the students requiring the most help receive instruction from the most qualified person. Although we do have instructional assistants teaching some of the interventions, they have been trained and are wonderful. We have seen a huge payoff!!
DeleteI am not sure if there has ever been a time when testing using standardized measures has had such a powerful impact on children and families. While many children pass, there is a psychological toll. For those that don't pass, especially more than once, I imagine they will tune out at some point. So I am trying to see the upside of all this. I haven't found it yet.
DeleteUh, okay ... I'm confused. How are we educating the child in the area of reading if we are simply telling them to sit there and read silently? If they cannot read correctly (or at all), then how are they going to read? Aren't they only going to reinforce what they are currently doing wrong? This sounds like a recipe for disaster. I agree that it is equally insane to put a non-licensed person in charge of that class. Would you put someone in charge of the fire department who has no expertise, credentials, or experience? Would we want someone in the cafeteria of our schools who don't know how to properly keep food at the right temperature? I'll get off my high horse now ... but this just seems completely ludicrous!
DeleteI am a 3rd grade teacher and have been worrying all year and questioning my teaching in anticipation of the I-READ 3. Thankfully, my students did an amazing job as well as the other 3rd grade sections. For the students who did not pass the state has required us to offer some remediation this summer. As of right now there is no money to offer this remediation. The teachers have volunteered to help these students so they will not be retained. Now we must wait and see if the work as paid off.
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DeleteI read earlier this week, according to the Indiana Department of Education, 85% of schools passed this test. I thought that the state would not create a test that was so hard most students would fail. After all, wouldn't that make our state look bad?
DeleteIn our building, the IRead k-2 test is being given by the title one staff. This is because after being out of the classroom for DIBELS testing, our corporation decided they didn't want the teachers out of the room again for another test. I understand because it is a lot of time away from teaching and with RISE coming down the road, any time out of the room can be considered ineffective. However, has the state even considered all the time the students are out of the classroom for testing. They're losing important instructional time also. I also have yet to hear what the effect of failing will do to our kindergarten students.
DeleteWe currently give the mClass assessment (DIBELS Next w/TRC) to our k-2 students. We totaled the number of instructional minutes lost and it is nearly two full weeks. We talked to a trainer about the issue and she told us that most of it could easily be completed by "stealing minutes" in the day. I am not sure when she was last in a classroom, but I don't have any minutes to "steal".
DeleteMelissa, my school administered the K-2 IRead test this year as well. I am a Kindergarten teacher and I was responsible for administering the assessment to all my students. It was done on an individual one-on-one basis and truly took approximately 30 minutes at a minimum per child. It was very challenging to find the time throughout the day to administer the test because it took away so much instructional time!
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ReplyDeleteIt is evident that current events have a great impact on how we approach teaching. From being influenced by religion, church, and morals, to focusing on standardized testing and state mandated legislation, we are constantly adapting our approaches and legislation in attempts to reach the ultimate goal of academic success.
ReplyDeleteI keep trying to think about the connection between the moral climate and the economic climate and the testing situation. I am thinking there are two sides to the coin of accountability. Here is one possibility. On the left there is a desire to overhaul and reform schools in accordance with the belief that not enough children are getting a chance, and on the right is the desire to reduce costs and streamline and make more businesslike the schools. It is surreal to me that these two viewpoints have met and have the potential to greatly change public education. There are really good and bad things about both sides. I am going to post this again as a regular post because I would like more commentary on it.
DeleteI am think I went over my fifty word limit there.
DeleteI find it interesting that most of the people who are making decisions about education have little to no experience in the classroom.
DeleteCall me crazy but shouldn't their be some parental responsibility for the child? I can assign reading, teach reading, preach reading, and so on but if the parents don't support the child's reading or if the parents don't make them do homework because they are too busy going to sport practices (because their kid will grow up to be some famous ball player), then all I do is spin my wheels. So many parents do not provide a home life that is comfortable for learning. I have a girl in my class who is very bright but when mom spends so much time bad mouthing dad and making my student worry and be afraid...all my teaching is falling on deaf ears. Parents need to put education 1st above other activities! Teachers can only do so much, yet we are held accountable. And I won't even start talking about being evaluated on how well my students test...how about the student who is very intelligent but freezes on test and bombs them???
DeleteI keep trying to think about the connection between the moral climate and the economic climate and the testing situation. I am thinking there are two sides to the coin of accountability. Here is one possibility. On the left there is a desire to overhaul and reform schools in accordance with the belief that not enough children are getting a chance, and on the right is the desire to reduce costs and streamline and make more businesslike the schools. It is surreal to me that these two viewpoints have met and have the potential to greatly change public education. There are really good and bad things about both sides.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that if great minds on both sides would work together to do what is right for kids perhaps we could mold these two ideas into more workable solutions. Although, I cannot say I know exactly what these solutions are, I do not feel that those making the education laws are always consulting those who know the most about education. There is certainly some change going on within public education in Indiana that concerns me as far as streamlining and making schools more of a business.
DeleteI have never really thought about how even long ago there was debate over the best way to teach reading. Vogt & Shearer,(p.6) point out that Reading without Tears demonstrates that for years looking for the most effective ways to teach children to read has preoccupied reading teachers and specialists. History has not only shown people looking for educational solutions, but it also has played a major role in educational goals as these are put in place after the most recent legislation or historical events have helped to form them.
ReplyDeleteI imagine that some of the early approaches were pretty, well, simplistic. As I envision the one room school houses or even just participating for a couple years in school, I have to wonder how many children were terribly unhappy or unsuccessful. Add to that the lessened need for the average citizen to read and children might have been less convinced to persist.
DeleteHistory has shown that there is debate between learning to read and write either by the use of phonics skills, and controlled text vs. a whole language approach. They have gone back and fourth each having “research” to back up the approach. I think we are now accepting both proven means of teaching reading in the classrooms. We now debate how to make it “measurable”.
ReplyDeleteJessica, you make a very good point. I do think we have come to a realization that different students require different methods -- thus the acceptance of both approaches. I feel as though we do need to work on the measuring part. Someone, somewhere is going to need to apply the same philosophy to the measuring -- different students need different things!
DeleteI believe that history has enabled us to see many ways of teaching reading and that we must use a combination of methods for children to truly be successful. When I look at the country I am currently living in and see how they are developing and changing (they are only 40 years old), it makes me realize that it is a process; education and the methods of teaching have to develop it cannot just happen. It takes wars or striking gold or oil for a country to realize the importance of education.
ReplyDeleteI agree Heather, education is taken for granted. I think I see a different side of kids since I am a secondary teacher. Many of the kids have what I think is a sense of entitlement. They think it is my job to entertain them and spoon feed them the answers. If I try to make them think critically they say I am mean for not giving them the answers.
DeleteHeather, do you mind sharing where you are living? I have a general idea but I would like to know if you don't mind. I agree it is a process, and you are getting to see the initiation of the process.
ReplyDeleteThe UAE (United Arab Emirates)...the Emirate of Abu Dhabi but not Abu Dhabi City, in a town on the edge of Oman.
ReplyDeleteFascinating in so many ways! I can't wait to hear more about your experiences!
DeleteI had not given any thought to how history has played a role in how reading and writing is taught in the schools. I've thought about how reading is taught now compared to when I was in school, and since I am in the educational system now I've noticed the pendulum always appears to be swinging from one way to another over time. As far as the reading instruction in the school I was teaching at last year, I thought their methods were outdated and basically lacking in any kind of reading instruction. (I was in a middle school.) However, country and state legislation is forcing them to evaluate what they or are not doing to teach reading instruction. I feel as if government has played a major role in how reading is taught today and throughout history. I found it very interesting and surprising how wars played such a significant role in the teaching of reading and writing. I'm embarrassed to say I'd never really given it any thought past how I was taught or occasionally asking and thinking about how my parents were taught.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting how the pendulum does swing! I remember when I first started teaching and something new would come along, all the veteran teachers would say "oh, just wait, it will go away". After teaching for 20 years, I have realized that there is always something good in something new (although the amount of that "something good" often times varies), you can't "throw the baby out with the bath water" and it takes a while to see your investment grow.
DeleteYou make a good point. There is usually something new and good from the changes, but like you said, we need to keep the good and remember what has been helpful in the past. Combining the helpful resources from the past and implementing the good from something new is key. I believe instruction is and should constantly be evaluated. With the new theories and ideas available and presented to educators, it almost forces evaluations of what is being done and what could be done.
DeleteThe book states that in the past there were some teaching methods that bring children to tears as they learn to read. I feel that we have come such a long way in our instruction, and yet I know from talking with the third grade teachers in our building this year that they have had several students in tears because of all the testing. Especially those students who didn’t pass the I-READ 3 test. It makes me wonder if we have really come as far as we think.
ReplyDeleteIt is not only the I-READ, and ISTEP but now NWEA. And now a percentage of your pay is going to based on the NWEA score and wether the students meet the right score. If there was any time left to teach it is now only going to be to the test if it wasn't already. Haven't we already been through this cycle too.
DeleteI had a few students just today cry over taking Acuity because they felt they had not done well. When in actuality, they had done extremely well. They feel so much pressure to be perfect or near perfect that it is sad.
DeleteThere is so much pressure on the teachers to have our students do well that we are starting to pressure on the students. The students are not mature enough to handle that much pressure. It's so sad that we make our kids feel this way.
DeleteI teach 4th grade (at least for 4 more days) and I would have to say that some of the kids do know about correlation between testing and our paychecks. They hear things either from their parents, older siblings/cousins, or tv and make their own decisions about how to take the test.
DeleteI have taught third grade for the last 13 years. With the onset of IREAD-3, it was the first time students started crying when given an assessment. The children and myself were overwhelmed with all the assessments given this year. Sadly, every time a student had to complete a regular assignment, children asked, "Will this make me fail third grade?" Like Valerie has written, students are not mature enough to handle this kind of pressure.
DeleteOur textbook discusses the many changes in education through history; from biblical reading to individualized flexible grouping. One thing that I found to be a common thread was that educational approaches evolved as society and culture drove them. Today, with our “melting pot” we are developing more of a need for diversity within the education system.
ReplyDeleteJeanne, That is true. Cultural, ethnic, economic and other diversities require more flexibility.
DeleteLooking back through the text, I couldn't help but laugh at the scripted teachers manuel on page 11. Many of the textbooks in the 1960s and on were scripted and some still are today. They were trying to find ways to teach explicitly and consistently. I feel that we are still trying to do that today, however we are now realizing that it is hard to script out a lesson, because we never know what our students are going to say. (Sorry, I am over the 50 word limit.)
ReplyDeleteI agree! That's why we are moving away from basals at my school. They are incredibly scripted and don't meet the needs of every child. There are other resources out there to use.
DeleteNext year will be our last year for the basal series we are using. There are many teachers that want a change. The reading committee is currently researching different reading programs that will meet the needs of all learners. I am anxious to see what they choose.
DeleteOur school has been doing Balanced Literacy for the past two years, and we have seen some major gains with our students.
DeleteI think our country's history has led us to legislating reading and writing because as you can see from reading Chapter 1, the expectations of our students are consistently getting higher and higher. Something I didn't know was about what we teach in reading because of the soldiers during war times. I think this shows that as our nation has continued to evolve, our education has evolved to fit the times we are living in. I hate to say it but we do live in a society where we like to see numbers, percentages, and things are cut and dry-- just like the results to all the standardized tests.
ReplyDeleteI would like to hear more about how the text demonstrates that we are moving to legislating aspects of reading and writing instruction.
DeleteOur curriculum at our school changed immensely this year and will continue to next year. We are moving towards to common core standards, and also Mass Customized Learning which is directed toward student ability and needs verses grade level. I am part of a pilot team of teaches next year who will be working towards this; using a rubric scale to "grade" students instead of using letter grades. What is an "A," anyway? Students won't move on to the next skill until they have mastered the previous. This will take care of shuffling kids through the system which happens so much. The curriculum in reading and writing has changed so much, and with the implementation of the I-read3 this year, it's important that we address the common core standards. Fortunately, the third graders in my school did excellent this year and we hit the 90% mark.
ReplyDeleteIt will be an interesting year for me next year with this pilot and how the curriculum will change. We shouldn't be teaching the way that it started out in the 1800's. Kids don't work that way anymore, and we should recognize that. It has been wonderful that so many parents in my community are excited about MCL and want their child to be a part of this opportunity. The administration has done a fantastic job all year of communicating.
Please check out the links below to learn more about MCL and curriculum change that is going on in my township. It's an exciting time!
http://masscustomizedlearning.com/
http://flyergroup.com/local/x241729985/Danville-schools-to-use-new-curriculum
I checked out the website and a video about MCL and I would be interested to hear how this is going to work for the elementary level. The video made it seem so college like with the scheduling of seminars and labs. I am sure that it looks different for elementary level. It is interesting to see how technology has expanded the learning possibilities even for the youngest of learners.
DeleteDo you mind sharing what state you are located in and perhaps what district?
DeleteActually K, I would like to know just how specific to literacy this approach is. I scanned most of the material and it looks more organizational (MCL) than it does curricular. Is this correct? What type of training has your district or school had?
DeleteWhen I thought about this question, I automatically thought about how the United States has historically been a country that worked within our own borders. We weren't worried or thinking about other countries and the educational systems in place. I believe this affected our ability to show continual growth. Our textbook further discussed the historical 'tragedies' that affected legislation from moving in education reform such as the wars, terrorism, economic hardships and so on. This allowed other countries to continue to grow and build upon their base as the United States remained status quo. Now the changes seem so severe instead of the gradual changes that should have been occurring long ago.
ReplyDeleteI think you have a great point. When the USA was leading other nations in education, other countries sent researchers and teachers into our schools to learn about what we were doing that was helping our children succeed. They took what worked for us and improved upon it. Now the USA has fallen in these rankings. Is it because we failed to invest in the continued research and development of our educational practices?
DeleteOver the years the focus of reading instruction has changed from teaching correct behaviors and how to read the Bible to phonics and differentiation for the individual child. It is interesting to see what drives our country also drives the direction of education. Are we going in the right direction?
ReplyDeleteKristine,
DeleteI always wonder the same question. Are we going in the right direction? It seems that my district goes back and forth between different programs and teaching methods. I know change can be good, but it gets overwhelming at times.
I think extremes in either direction do a lot to line people's pockets and get researchers well known, but I believe the truth lies in the fact that a good teacher not only knows multiple approaches but also knows how to determine and use them.
DeleteI agree with you, Dr. Walker. Since our school is also using the new RISE model next year, it is going to allow the good teachers to really show through because multiple approaches should always be used. Through the new curriculum in my school and the pilot program, we will all be meeting for frequently to discuss those strategies and how they best fit student needs.
DeleteI think we're going in the right direction because we are taking time to see what works and what doesn't by collecting and analyzing data over time. Like Dr. Walker says, as long as we are educated on the different approaches, the better capable we are of meeting the diverse learning needs in our classrooms.
DeleteWow. I had no idea that Danville, IN would be so cutting edge! I grew up in Avon surrounded by cornfields. It is amazing at all the growth and new ways of teaching that I hear from Avon and now Danville. How exciting. I can't wait to hear how it works for you.
ReplyDeleteThat's what people always say! My husband teaches south from me and when he talks about "little ol' Danville" the teachers there are also shocked, too. I'm very proud of what is going on in my district, and owe a lot to our administration for taking lots of leaps of faith for this new growth. There's definitely going to be some discomfort in the next few years, but that's what happens when change occurs!
DeleteIt was interesting to see the shift from religious and moral teachings in the 1700-1880’s, to the more scientific methods used in the 1900’s. Reading for information and financial opportunities became the new focus. Unfortunately, opportunities to learn were still very limited as the “rich got richer and the poor got poorer” (Stanovich, 1986). When I read this section, it reminded me of the RTi process. We try very hard to reverse this notion by giving more opportunities for the struggling student to catch up with their peers. The pendulum has shifted completely over to the other side. When are we going to worry about the middles?
ReplyDelete(It is hard to stay within 50 words—sorry!)
It is hard for all of us. I may be upping the requested limit soon! I believe one of the patterns being seen is that cultural and society and schools are greatly connected.
DeleteAmy S.
DeleteI agree with you. When are we going to worry about our students in the middle? I feel sometimes we are so focused on interventions for the lower level students. I think the average students stay average because we think oh they are on track. If we push them harder, we might see tremendous growth from them.
Dr. Walker,
I definitely see the patters of cultural and society and school being greatly connected.
I was greatly Annoyed by the ability group comment-rich staying rich and the poor staying poor. In essence, are we saying then that we should hold the top and middle students back so we can meet the needs of the lower students? I feel, as you've stated as well, that we are always forgetting our 'poor' middle students, and when there isn't enough help in the classroom, we forget our top students as well. This must be why differentiated instruction has to be the answer, with a mixture of what works best with each specific student according to teacher viewpoint.
DeleteYep, differentiated instruction is the key. It's just so darn tricky with 20+ kindergartners and no extra help!
DeleteThe quote from the book stating that the "rich stay rich and the poor stay poor" refers more to our instruction and the resources that we expose the ability groups to. I didn't take the this quote as saying we should hold the top and middle students back with our lower students, but to be aware that whenever we are instructing students on their level our texts should encourage student growth. In order to accomplish this, we must provide high quality texts at each students instructional level. I have been uncomfortable with grouping my students according to their reading level, and then teaching to those levels. I most often use conferencing to look for patterns across my classroom, and then pull together a small group according to that pattern and instruct. Differentiation is important along with maintaining high expectations for all students by providing rich examples for them to practice with and learn from.
DeleteLiteracy has evolved tremendously throughout history. According to the textbook, there were reading methods that made children very upset long ago. Children still struggle with reading today, but more balanced literacy approaches for instruction are implemented that emphasize the five elements of reading. Children are also offered different reading interventions.
ReplyDeleteYes, for years we have been frustrating some of our students while teaching them reading. I believe this is why things "cycle". Everyone tries to make changes to improve literacy and teaching it, but we just end up back where we started.
DeleteWhat I gather from the reading is that early in the creation of our nation, reading was not as important as was behavior modification. It seems that the reading that was done was used to model or modify behavior. With that being said, I also noticed that repetition of words, sounds, and chunks was key to these early readers (eg. Dick and Jane). Reading instruction has come along way since then, but these concepts are still used today. We have went from phonics to whole language to balanced literacy. Our nation continues to change the way we teach our readers, but I'm not convinced we are where we need to be yet. I believe we keep going back and forth from reading methods because we (as a nation) cannot find the utopia of reading instruction. To me, I don't believe it really exists. I often wonder if the reason children don't read well has more to do with a lack of motivation and reading models at home than it does with the actual in school instructional methods. I once read somewhere that if a child has not developed the skills necessary to read by the end of 1st grade, they never will. I was wondering if anyone else has ever heard that.
ReplyDeleteIn a previous class, I learned that the most crucial time for children in regards to speaking and reading is from 0 to 5 years of age. I, myself, have often wondered if it wasn't so much the instructional methods at school but lack of emphasis placed on reading during those early years of their lives. I'm not trying to place blame somewhere other than the instruction, but I think it is something that has to be considered when trying to figure out how best to help developing readers.
DeleteI agree!
DeleteD. Baker-I agree with you. I look at my 2 1/2 year old son and he knows the front of the book from the back of the book. He knows how to correctly turn pages and can point to the text in a correct sweeping motion when I am reading to him. During kindergarten round-up the teachers ask these questions to the incoming students and many of them do not know the features of books. I do feel that parents need to be held accountable for reading to their child at a young age.
DeleteAt kindergarten round-up we really try to stress to parents how important nightly reading is to children's growth. Most parents are reading to their children way before kindergarten but there are always a few that don't. It's so sad because if puts those students behind right from the start.
DeleteI agree that that there isn't an "utopia" of reading instruction. I think that each class is different and one technique might work on one class, but it might not work on another. I have also that if students don't have the skills by first grade they never will. I don't know if I agree with this or not, but I've heard it. As a pre-K teacher each year I send out a letter with research backing how important a literacy rich environment is. I want them to know how important reading is.
DeleteKatrina-I think that is great you send out a letter with research to parents informing them on how important a literacy rich environment is even before they get to school. For some, I think it is just a lack of knowledge about the importance of literacy before they get to kindergarten. I agree with the common phrase "knowledge is power", and by making the parents aware of the research, I think there would be some improvement. Getting the information out early--before Kindergarten round-up would be very helpful!
DeleteErin, my school just recently had our Kindergarten round up as well. One question we always ask is: "Who reads to you at home". It is always heart-breaking to hear a child answer: "No one". I wish every family understood the importance and were able to read to their children.
DeleteThe history of reading and writing is very interesting. It seems reading and writing instruction was continuously reviewed and revised to meet the needs of society. I can see how we are going through changes now to meet the needs of our students. As I was reading about the history, phonics came up often in most if not all of the changes made in history.
ReplyDeleteThe history leads us to where we are today. We are still using approaches such as learning the alphabet, moving to letter sound correspondence, and reading short sentences to more complex. We have evolved into the importance of fluency and comprehension.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 1, it mentioned the quote "old timers" like to use that says, "Kids don't change." However, the truth is that kids do change, schools change, and society changes. It was interesting to see that throughout our history, as our society changed, so did our reading intruction. We first focused on reading the Bible and teaching morals, to reading for information during World War 1, to skill work in basals, to more of the balanced literacy programs we use today.
ReplyDeleteYour statement "as our society changed, so did our reading instruction" really summed the first chapter up. This chapter provide me with a better understanding of why some teachers are resistant to change. Teachers who have seen some of these transitions might find it frustrating to learn the "next new trend". I also better understand that balanced literacy isn't really the "next new trend" but rather the result of refining reading instruction over many years.
DeleteI am right on board with what you are saying about the teachers who are resistant to change. I can imagine they are tired of conforming to what the latest trend is. But, at the same time, I truly believe that, if we feel this way at any time, it's time to find a new job!
DeleteTricia,
DeleteI feel the same way. I have some teachers at my school who complain about everything new. We have implemented Balanced Literacy for the past two years, and they still refuse to do the MILs.
I agree that a balanced literacy approach is just what you guys said. It's taking what we know is important for students to be successful readers and incorporating it into our instruction. We know students need phonics, word work, comprehension strategies, and exposure to authentic texts at their reading level. This approach has been shaped from what we have learned about reading throughout history.
DeleteI was really struck by how much the ideals of society shaped the information that was presented in schools during the 1800's and early to mid 1900's. Now the information presented, requirements, and expectations seem to be shaped less by the ideals of society, but the politics within our society. Is it possible that we have come to this point in education because the system failed to adapt to the diverse population it began to serve? I still see many middle class norms and values presented in our adopted curriculum. It is also interesting that standardized achievement tests originated due to a need to test soldiers. It is fascinating that variations of that test are still given but the end goal is so drastically different.
ReplyDeleteI too, found it very interesting that the need for educated, qualified soldiers was when standardized tests first originated. We still have standardized tests to make sure teachers, doctors, lawyers, and many other professionals are highly qualified.
DeleteReading about all the changes in reading and writing is very interesting. In my school district it feels like we are always adopting a new "better" program just as everyone finally figures out the current one.
ReplyDeleteThis is true! The teachers in my district are frustrated because we seem to be followers of what other districts are doing which means we are changing approaches all the time. Many times we feel that if our administration would do their own research and find out what works on their own, the change wouldn't be happening all the time. Change happens but it's happening so often that it's hard to keep up sometimes!
DeleteErin, it is also very interesting to see the "resistance" many veteran teachers show towards new programs. Often times I have seen veteran teachers leave the new materials in the boxes and continue with the program they have been teaching with for years.
DeleteUnfortunately I just got an email from my Amazon seller and my book 'got lost' in the mail and they got the envelope back. I am currently buying a different book so hopefully I will have my book soon!
ReplyDeleteBased on my own knowledge and looking to past class textbooks I do think that teaching of reading and writing has really evolved throughout history. My school is currently adopting the Common Core standards. Having gone through the standards pretty intensely, the students today are being held to much higher standards than before. The teaching of this has to change as well. Schools are moving from more Basil reading series to a more balanced literacy approach. I feel that the new reading styles also lends more time to differentiated instruction and teaching to students' specific needs, rather than just teaching one lesson.
While reading the text, I found myself fully immersed in the content of the history of our country's reading instruction! I found it intriguing how we have developed some of out teaching techniques and/or practices. For example, soldiers in WWii couldn't read well enough to comprehend manuals,so we add informational and expository texts to our classrooms;times change as we immigrate more foreigners to the US and our subject matter changes; studies are done on the forefront of the whole language approach, so we change our efforts to include phonics. It makes me wonder what studies or information will tell about our current approaches and what will change as a result......
ReplyDeleteYou point out how the literacy changes that have taken place are associated to our country's current needs. As our country evolves and literacy application needs are reevaluated, this information would be good for those teachers that continue to be resistant to change!
DeleteWhile reading chapter one I found it fascinating how war and politics shaped our reading instruction. The reading states that informational and expository texts were increased due to World War II because soldiers were unable to read well enough to comprehend training manuals and other related texts. My school is focusing on the Common Core Standards for the next school year and there is a huge push for nonfiction texts. Interesting how this is spiraling back around. Is this due to the state that the economy is in right now and jobs that are available?
ReplyDeleteOur school is pushing nonfiction texts too. I thought it might be due to the lack of background knowledge and experiences the students are coming into the classrooms with. What do you think?
DeleteI personally like non-fiction texts, but I think children need to learn and experience literature and non-fiction. Having said that, I believe that we do need to do more work preparing children to read non-fiction and we need to start when they are young. We have a great number of readers in society that cannot process difficult non-fiction materials. I do think the economy is driving this direction of education. Usually I would bristle at the idea of the economy driving what we teach and learn, but things in this country are so hard right now that I am more open to education that prepares children in realistic and practical ways.
DeleteSome events in history that have changed education today were the Civil Rights Act and equal rights for women. Long ago it wasn't important for women to be proficient in reading and writing. In the past education was controlled more by the family instead of the goverment. Children had to stay home when they were needed on the farm and to help with chores. Now, students are required by law to attend school. Unlike the past, there are also laws that control what accomodations schools must provide for students with special needs.
ReplyDeleteSarah, I agree that there are so many more laws about students and schools. Right now, in Florida, they are trying to make pre-K a requirement for students. They offer free pre-K through the state, which helps the requirement be more realistic.
DeleteThough I wish this would happen in Indiana, I cannot imagine them doing it. Sad face. Relatedly, a recent graduate of Early Childhood education in Indiana can expect a salary that is either hourly or significantly lower than the public schools.
DeleteI also wish this would happen in Indiana and also cannot see them doing it. I am a kindergarten teacher in a low socioeconomic school district and many of our students start off "behind" because they don't even have the basics for kindergarten. My teaching partner and I are both sad that this probably will not happen anytime soon.
DeleteDr. Martin,
DeleteI just accepted a job in Rhode Island for Early Childhood and will be making only half of what I make in Indiana.
I found it interesting that most of our country's approaches to reading in the early days revolved around middle class families. It sounds like the books were always changing and publishers were constantly supporting another new approach (much the same today). I also remember the part about soldiers not being able to read materials properly- it seems like that jump started an awareness of literacy and propelled us toward excellence in our current legislative agendas.
ReplyDelete-Sarah Beiler
Sarah, can you talk a little more about what you mean by early days and middle class families?
DeleteAre you Sarah Beiler?
DeleteWWI influenced the shift in reading for religious purposes to reading for information and commerce. Talk about rocking the boat! I also found it interesting how the revolution in 1960s and 1970s didn't seem to phase the education culture. Just goes to show how much influence the government has over education legislation.
ReplyDeleteOur country has led us to what we now know about reading and writing instructino simply from experience and research. Our education systems have changed dramatically to accomodate student learning. Reading and writing includes so much more collaboration that it did in the past. It is now okay to learn from others.
ReplyDeleteApparently I cannot blog at school. I have tried to make several posts after school hours; however, I don't see any of them posted. Now I know.
DeleteWell, I am glad you are on the blog now.
DeleteThroughout the years reading has changed greatly. It started with the basic teachings of the alphabet and verses, to using the bible, to a phonics approach, and holistic approach, and on to the specific teachings of the big 5. Between war and the economy, reading approaches change and our government becomes more involved with the process.
ReplyDeleteThe book shows an example of the reading in 1607 Jamestown. I was disturbed by how sad, however true, that reading was! Reading is always changing, and now with the amount of research there is we are on the right track. The US now, more than ever, is focused on the students and what the research is telling us works.
ReplyDeleteI read a quote that the only constant is change. If you think about it, how many of us are trained to deal with change? Most of us are taught a certain way, then the rug is pulled and we are expected to adapt. It would be interesting if we could have training to help us cope, adapt, and even welcome change.
DeleteThroughout our country's history, our approach to literacy has been based upon what society, wars, and jobs. As time progressed, educators started to experiment with different literacy approaches. With each exploration, educators have learned more about how children learn to read and write. Researchers and educatiors have learned which approachese were more effective and which activities were ineffective. Since the government has funded many research projects, they have placed greater expectations on their teachers and students through legislation. The goal of legislation is to ensure that students of all ages are on track for college and careers.
ReplyDeleteKelley- One of the failed experiments I found interesting was mentioned on page 12, the Initial Teaching Alphabet. Just like so many other attempts, that failed, this one had great intentions.
DeleteAfter reading Chapter 1, I do see a circle back around trend. The only big change is the focus on the different reading strategies. Fortunately, our school administrators allows us to use any approach to teach our students reading strategies as long as our instruction supports the academic growth of each student.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to see how what is happening in our history has directly affected what we find most important to teach. With the early colonists, escaping religious persecution, we taught kids to read so they could read the Bible. When we went to war, we started focusing on content area reading, so boys would be prepared to join the armed forces. We have a very reactive education system.
ReplyDeleteThis is really a good point. I would like to compare our educational system in terms of initiatives and mandates to what other countries are doing and how they make decisions.
DeleteI had never looked at it this way, but it is so true. Technology is booming, and now we are seeing digital readers and more computers in the school than ever. I wonder what the future of literacy will look.
DeleteThroughout history, the role of schools has changed. Learning to read has moved from optional to mandatory. Mandatory reading skills have now evolved beyond mere comprehension, but reading for critical information. With this information, students must think critically about their world. Our nation expects schools to meet these new objectives instantaneously without considering the most effective route.
ReplyDeleteAlong with that, the nature of the family and work and other expectations have changed. So, that makes many of the traditions like summer vacation, early school day release (2 or 3) outdated.
DeleteI found the history of reading and writing to be very interesting. As a teacher that teaches reading to young children on a daily basis, it is really interesting to see how far we've come. I think back to my own childhood and how much teaching and education have changed since those years, which was less than 20 years ago! When I read about the true history and roots of reading and literacy, it was really interesting to see the transitions in reading instruction and focus of instruction change over time. It makes me wonder how much more it will change during my own career and lifetime as the research continues to guide us.
ReplyDeleteReading Instruction has varied drastically throughout the years. The first forms placed an emphasis on alphabetic recognition and memorization. Programs valued biblical teaching and patriotic literacy. Reading curriculum then transformed with the use of phonics, basal readers, whole language instruction and finally evolved into a balanced literacy approach emphasizing assessment.
ReplyDeleteAnd to think there are still schools that rely on a basal text to "teach" reading to students.
DeleteIt would be interesting to survey various schools to see which literacy materials and programs they currently use. I would be very curious to see the results!
DeleteAmerica was founded on freedom and rights. One of our rights is for all children to read, and write. Government regulation in reading and writing programs was established to ensure those rights. Best practices for reading and writing will always change, but in many ways legislation keeps things moving. Good or bad.
ReplyDeleteFrom taking continuing education courses, I have been reading multiple textbooks that talk about how much reading and writing have changed within the schools over the years. As a child, I never did learn phonics. I didn't learn it until I had to teach it to my second graders-which many of you have posted above! It was frightening at first! It does seem to benefit struggling readers, however, there is another side of it that I do not care too much for! We all know not ever student will learn in the same way--therefore, phonics isn't for every child in my eyes. I am sure this can be a tough call as a teacher, but I teach the basics of what I have to and will work more in depth on phonics activities for those students who are struggling. In addition, our world is changing with the reading laws because we are finding out young adults who do not have the skills needed to get a job will be forever life changing and not allow the individual to fulfill their lifetime goals.
ReplyDeleteLooking back in time I believe it is interesting how our literacy instruciton has gone back and forth for analitic and holistic language approaches to teaching reading. I also find it scarey that we have been using basal texts and leveled readers since the 1960's.
ReplyDeleteWhile I teach balanced literacy, I do see both approaches in my teaching, and the benefits of both. Students need to know how to read, but also need to read for meaning. They need to know the meaning of words and how to use them. This is why word study is so important.
ReplyDelete