March 21st reading- Kelcie

In my placement I see an overwhelming amount of their literacy block which is all based in a program called Reading Street. They have a basal reader, leveled readers, and independent reading options that they use during each week that correspond to the programs guidelines. I think the Tompkins article defines the practices I have seen the Reading Street program using. My students are utilizing stage 1's background knowledge everyday before they read, and all aspects of stage 2 are present daily. Each morning I see students reading alone, with friends, with an adult, with the use of a computer (listening to the story read to them), and reading aloud when in their heads is simply not working for them. The program allows them to respond by doing the reader response questions at the end of each reading material, and I especially like my teacher's use of response as way to check on students ability to comprehend the materials which fits really well into Tompkin's chapter 8 on comprehension.

It is really important, I have recognized, to make sure that the reading program being followed makes sure that comprehension is at the forefront. Of course, there are more aspects that are important, but without comprehension I feel that a program is incomplete. I have enjoyed the opportunity I have had to see the Reading Street program in action, as the students have responded well and I think it is accomplishing the goals set out at the beginning of the year. My CT has shared with me that my class' reading scores have gone up exponentially in some cases, and I am really impressed.

When it comes to the articles, I was really happy to read the Gregory/Cahill as it focused specifically on kindergarten. I have zero experience with kindergarten, and we don't talk a lot of early elementary in our classes. It was nice to see how these authors adapted the comprehension strategies that we often talk about as purely an upper elementary element. I especially liked that they provided an example where the students were excited, and definitely ready for the simplified, book club led comprehension circles. I think that seeing a variety of ways to teach to a variety of class levels is going to be beneficial for us as teachers because when we graduate we are certified K-5, not only in upper elementary. I hope to read more articles like this one.