Hello blogging world!
We said we would and here we are...
Recently, we have been looking at our ‘guided reading’ reading programme and reminding ourselves
about, how we believe children really learn. What process do we believe in? How can we engage them?
We know that by giving them agency, we empower them! We know that through modelling, we engage
them and encourage them to look deeper! So our lessons really should reflect this.
about, how we believe children really learn. What process do we believe in? How can we engage them?
We know that by giving them agency, we empower them! We know that through modelling, we engage
them and encourage them to look deeper! So our lessons really should reflect this.
So today we did just that! We decided we would model, analysing a text. We had the split screen up:
‘How do we know how characters are feeling or what they are thinking?’ while also thinking about,
‘How analysing texts helps us?’ Throughout our mentor text ‘Fox, By Margaret Wild’ we modelled
stopping and thinking, asking questions, communicating with a partner, sharing ideas and finding
emotions by reading between the lines. We marked the emotions we noticed with a post it note.
‘How do we know how characters are feeling or what they are thinking?’ while also thinking about,
‘How analysing texts helps us?’ Throughout our mentor text ‘Fox, By Margaret Wild’ we modelled
stopping and thinking, asking questions, communicating with a partner, sharing ideas and finding
emotions by reading between the lines. We marked the emotions we noticed with a post it note.
We paused midway through the story, and asked the children if they thought they could have a go
at this? Agency is so powerful, so we gave the children a huge range of (pre selected) rich texts to
choose from, and off they went…
at this? Agency is so powerful, so we gave the children a huge range of (pre selected) rich texts to
choose from, and off they went…
We noticed:
- Instant engagement
- Effective communication
- Laughter
- Contention
- Confusion
- Deep discussion
We had a room full of readers! Not just children reading...but readers! But we wondered to ourselves,
“How was this helping them as readers?” So (just putting a hold on the moment) we asked them that
question, and this is what we got…
“How was this helping them as readers?” So (just putting a hold on the moment) we asked them that
question, and this is what we got…
“When we notice the emotions, we might make connections to our real life”
WOW!
“If we understand how the characters are feeling, then it will change our fluency and the way
we read the book”
REALLY?? Are you 8 years old?
“It makes us think deeper and make connections”
Okay...we’re finished bragging! Now off you go MODEL - ENGAGE - GROW!! :)
Brag away!
ReplyDeleteI loved "we had a room full of readers", and how you had in place scattered moments for all learners to reflect on the learning and the text. For me this is where wellbeing can find connection and voice - through literature!
Would you mind if I used this post as an example in my presentation at a conference in April?
What a powerful message, when out of the mouths of babes comes, "When we notice the emotions, we might make connections to our real life" and "If we understand how the characters are feeling, then it will change our fluency and the way
we read the book"!
I'm looking forward to more of your niggles and nudges :-)
Go for it! May our niggles and nudges, lead you to action.
DeleteSo excited to see you blogging, sharing and yes, even bragging. I see the power of reflective teachers aligning their practice with their beliefs and the impact that has on our learners. How empowering for kids to be readers, with agency, rather than students ‘doing school’!
ReplyDeletePowerful stuff this business of asking ourselves questions about our practice!
ReplyDeleteIt must have felt great jumping in and allowing children's understanding revealed
Looking forward to reading more niggles and nudges
Fabulous example of modeling, agency, and exemplary reading instruction! I especially love the fact that when you had questions about how it was impacting learning, you asked your learners! I also love that you immersed students in a large variety of high-quality text--such a valuable key in helping students grow as authentic readers (I blogged about this just today as I sadly see too many "personalized literacy programs" overtake actual reading in the classroom these days: http://honorsgradu.com/what-happens-when-programs-books/). Bravo!
ReplyDelete