questions.
- I think the biggest thing I have seen with content literacy is in relation to vocabulary. When I first came into the classroom, I noticed that many of the students were REALLY struggling with learning the new words. My host teacher is traditional, and she has been having them do worksheets out of the book, read the definitions of the words, and things of that sort. The vocabulary test grades did not come out the way she expected. The students could not transfer the meanings of the words across different areas. They could match the words with the definitions, but they struggled to write original sentences using the words. They struggled to fill in sentence blanks with the correct words. They struggled matching the word with the synonym or antonym. When I took over the class, I used a more constructivist approach. Yes, I used many of the techniques my host teacher used, but I also had the students use their creativity as an advantage. I had them illustrate the words (like we did in class). I had them write their OWN definitions. I had them play a game using the words. We have not had another vocabulary test yet, but I believe I am seeing the students gain a greater understanding of the words.
2. Progress with literacy explorations - successes to celebrate
and challenges.
- My successes and challenges relate directly to the vocabulary I wrote about in #1. It was a definite challenge to figure out how to get the students to create meaning. However, once they did, I had a feeling of accomplishment. I felt like a made a difference.
- Another challenge that I did not have the opportunity to take on was the Accelerated Reader program. All of these students received a test grade based on the number of points they earned. The day after the grades came back, I was shocked. A number of these children earned ZERO points. Is this just laziness or what? This was an assignment that was spearheaded by my host teacher, and I did not have an opportunity to interact with the students on this.
3. Reflection for ways to avoid readicide in your content area.
- I am still working on this. During my TWS unit, I am going to implement several literacy techniques - background articles, article summaries, etc. - to see how the students react. I'll have more to write after this is completed.
