Text and Article Comparision

The readings in this module was very helpful. Diagnosis is very important in fixing our students literacy problems. Optiz listed two steps that are helpful in diagnosing a literacy problem. The first step is "identifying the strengths and needs by observing signs or symptoms as a child is reading throughout the day by administering informal reading assessments."(Optiz, Rubin, Erekson, 2011) The second step is "to determine possible reason for reading difficulties."(Optiz, Rubin, Erekson ,2011)) The steps are important because it will lead to the teacher figuring out the problem, fixing it, and later the student will become a better reader.

During my assigned reading, I was reintroduced to the top-down and bottoms-up model. I think I mainly used the top-down approach with my students because I rely mainly on their background experiences to construct meaning from the text. By the time, the students reach third grade, they should be in the growing independent stage. Some students need the bottoms up approach. Again, differentiated instruction is very important when teaching literacy. The students have to receive instruction that fits their needs.
 My second reading assignment of chapter two was very interesting because it listed good tips for good and effective reading teachers. It made me realize that my perception of reading is very important to my students. I believe that if I show an interest in reading, then my students will be more acceptable to reading and gaining understanding.

Teachers also play so many roles in the classroom. We are planners, explicit reading teachers, organizers/managers, and self evaluator (p. 22) All of these roles are important when teaching our students. The teacher displays all of these roles in a comprehensive literacy program. It is very important for a comprehensive literacy program to be in effect in every classroom because it is used after the diagnosis of the problem, and is used to improve the reading problems of struggling readers. The program is important in ensuring that all readers needs are being met.

The article, Data, Our GPS, summed up the Optiz's reading assignment. The article described how data was collected and then the corrective measures were taken to improve the students level of learning. The students were assessed every so often to measure levels of improvement. I believe that this strategy is similar to formative assessments. When I teach a new concept to my students, I assess them on how well they comprehended what was taught. If they do poor on the formative assessment, then I would reteach them. If they do well on the formative assessment, then they would work on an extension activity. After a couple of days, my students would complete a summative assessment. The summative assessment lets me know if my students understood what was taught overall. If they perform poorly, I would reteach them and the go on to the next topic with the achievers of the lesson.

In closing, the readings were very informational. They were similar because they discussed diagnosing the problem, and ways to fix the problem. Our students should be taught according to their needs. Our instruction should not be one size fits all.

References:
 Opitz, M., Rubin, D., & Erekson, J. (2011). Reading diagnosis and improvement: Assessment and instruction. (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

Smith, R., Johnson, M., Thomopson, K.D (2012). Data, Our GPS, Educational Leadership. 2012.

Optiz Activity #4 pg. 14

While reading the Table 1.1, I have realized that even though its the beginning of the school year, I have both proficient and less proficient reading behaviors in my classroom. Differentiated instruction has been evident in my classroom because of this even though I have not formally formed groups for literacy centers. I have noticed these behaviors recently especially on our D.E.A.R.( Drop everything and read) day this past week. One of my students read a book to me, and she was a very basic fluent reader. Once I started asking her comprehension questions about the book, she was only able to tell me the last thing she read. I noticed right away that she is not a proficient reader.

Also, the student mentioned above Lexile level's is  BR(0), which means she reads at a kindergarten level. I have my work cut out for me. With differentiated instruction, different fluency and comprehension strategies, I believe this student will become a proficient reader by the end of third grade.
 
There are students in my classroom who reads on a fourth and fifth grade level. These readers are very proficient because they use different strategies to break down the meanings of their books, make few miscues, and comprehend what is read. Differentiated instruction and tiered assignments will be useful for this group because they are the upper level learners. These students will need to interested in what they are reading and learning during small group instruction.

Assessing and Correcting Reading and Writing Difficulties Powerpoint

The powerpoint was also a favorite part of mine for this module. I enjoyed having a refresher on the vocabulary terms that were used. I also was refreshed on the different stages of literacy. It is very important that students progressed from one level to the next. Some of my third grade students are in the emergent literacy stages. Differentiated instruction is very important in teaching those students. I am setting a challenge for myself to have those students on grade level by the time they leave me and go to 4th grade.

I also learned something new about ELL students. I never realized that it is more important that they succeed in their native language instead of English. If they don's succeed in our language doesn't make them struggling readers. I just assumed that if they are not English readers, then they are not good readers at all. It was a eye opener to realize that it is important for them to be good readers in their native language. Of course ELL student will not be proficient readers in English until they are speaking the English language fluently.

 Also, it is very important for us to motivate our students. Motivation leads to success. It is important for teachers to build on what the students know. It is similar to the tops-down approach. We should build meaning from their background knowledge. The powerpoint also pointed our response to intervention or RTI. This is a very important intervention strategy for struggling students. If used effectively, this process could lead to helping students become successful readers. 

The powerpoint was very informative to me for this class and for future use in the classroom. I learned some interested facts, and also remembered some helpful hints that were forgotten.

Module 1: Watch and Learn: Assessing Reading Skills Video

The video was one of my favorite parts of the module. The little girl in the video was being assessed for sight word recognition, fluency, and comprehension. I believe that the sight word recognition should not have been tested separately. Those words could have been assessed in conjunction with the other testing that was performed. I also believe that it doesn't matter how fast a child recites words. The main goal in reading is for the students to comprehend what they have read.

It was made it clear to me that proper assessing is key in literacy. The students should be assessed correctly and accurately in order for proper instruction to take place. Also, diagnosis is very important when performing differentiated instruction. I also learned that fluency testing should be assessed frequently. Frequent assessing should be done in order to catch the problem and be able to work on fixing it immediately. I perform fluency testing every three weeks. Those results help me to be able to group my students effectively for literacy centers. My students receive instruction tailored to their needs.

One of the speakers in the video stated that better fluency leads to better comprehension. I agree because if the students is able to fluently read a passage, then they will understand because they read it in a clear manner. Also, students should be encouraged and praised when they are reading. Good confidence helps a student read better. I believe that if a student is teased or not given positive feedback from his peers or teacher, then that will lead to discouragement and poor motivation for reading.

Reading Rockets is a website that I have heard of, but I have never used it before. I plan to use it in the future as a resource to help me teach my students more effectively. It is a very beneficial source for educators, students, and parents.