Using non-fiction texts and fiction texts are essential for the new Common Core standards. Students need to be exposed to different types of books and new vocabulary. I have learned to use these books in my small reading group time. I introduce new words before reading and ask questions after. The kids are learning how to go back into the text to find the answers.
I had the challenge to use the assessments I had learned in class and apply them to students in my own classroom. I compared 2 of my students, one who was on grade level and the other who was well above level in the reading area. This assignment really taught me how to give these new assessments and how to use them to guide my instruction and strategies needed for certain skill level of students. I used the WRI (Word Recognition in Isolation) and WRC (Word Recognition in Context) assessments for this comparison.
*I have learned many strategies and reasons for a student's success. Some examples of these include:
- Fluency- accuracy, rate, and prosody: using repeated timed readings, readers theatre, and having time with books will helps kids improve their fluency
- Motivation- finding out what drives a child and what their interests are will help you teach them
- Comprehension- using graphic organizers is simple and engaging for students
- Writing- using picture prompts and word sorts are fun ways to practice writing and word knowledge skills
Words Their Way is an excellent resource for students to practice word patterns such as beginning and ending sounds, short and long vowels, and common vowel patterns (oa, ai). It has a plethora of games and sorts for students to practice. This book starts with the basic phonemic skills and progresses to the more challenging skills for higher level students.