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Sunday, February 16, 2020

Building a Community of Readers

Building a Community of Readers

Reading Success is Not a Difficult Puzzle

 Successful Readers:  Building a community of successful readers is not a difficult puzzle to solve.  The basic components are simple:  libraries and qualified knowledgeable teachers who practice a comprehensive approach to teaching reading.  

The Instruction Component

The reading teacher employs strategies to strengthen and master ten elements that create successful and life-long readers (and learners):
  1. Phoneme awareness (letter-sound knowledge and concepts of print).
  2. Phonics and decoding (knowledge of letter sound-symbol associations).
  3. Fluency (ability to apply decoding skills and read in a fluent and automatic manner).
  4. Vocabulary (knowledge of word meanings enhance reading comprehension and vocabulary is greatly enhanced through read-alouds which can be shared at a higher reading level).
  5. Comprehension (the purpose of reading is to understand the written words. Rote recitation of words on a page does not constitute comprehension.  Reading must be accompanied by understanding).
  6. Written expression (writing supports reading and reading supports writing - two sides of the same coin).
  7. Spelling and handwriting (both are enhanced by reading, and exhibit a positive correlation).
  8. Assessment (screening, listening, assessing strengths and weaknesses) to impact instruction.
  9. Creating a desire to read (motivation, exposure to new and varied reading material, encouragement).
  10. Time and choice - readers must be given time to read.   And they must be allowed a significant opportunity to choose their own reading for pleasure and information.

Parents - how does your child's school stack up?Teachers - what are you doing to include these ten elements in your instruction?Administrators - what are you doing to support teachers and full-time librarians in your school?

Great Libraries: Well-stocked and professionally staffed (full-time certified librarian and full-time clerical/secretarial help) libraries are a must.  They provide resources and support the teacher and students in selecting books and reading material to support curriculum and their personal interests.

The Reading Puzzle - is Solveable


Reading in the Classroom -- An Important Piece of the Puzzle

There is a debate about the importance of reading in the classroom but we feel Stephen Krashen makes a compelling case for given children time and choice in reading during the school day, despite opposite opinions.  Common sense tells me that actually reading enhances skills - does one become a good golfer by only studying about golfing?  I think most would agree that one needs to practice, practice, practice and that is what time and choice with reading does -- allow readers to practice.  Expecting an athlete to become a great golfer only by taking lessons and seldom being on the links is as ridiculous as expecting a child to become a great reader without the opportunity to actually read.

Krashen, S. (2005) Is in-school free reading good for children? Why the National Reading Panel Report is (still) wrong.  Phi Delta Kappan 86(6): 444-447. https://tinyurl.com/vvkmx8u

Summary: Stephen Krashen (2001)  reviewed the section of the National Reading Panel (NRP) report that dealt with fluency. He argued that in their review of in- school free reading research, the NRP missed a number of studies (they included only 14 comparisons of in-school free reading and regular instruction; Krashen found 53), and the NRP made serious errors in reporting the studies they did include. Krashen noted that some of the studies showing no difference between readers and comparisons involved students that were already advanced and had already established a reading habit. I pointed out that the NRP did not include long-term studies, which Krashen found to be more supportive of SSR than short-term studies, and they also included one study in which students were highly constrained on what they could read. Krashen argued that the case for free reading rests on more than experimental studies, that case histories also provided compelling evidence for the power of reading. Krashen concluded that the evidence in support of free reading in school was strong, contrary to the panel’s conclusion.  (Summary courtesy of Stephen Krashen, 2020).

Why Read Aloud?

There is an easy way to improve your child's chances at school. It will entertain and delight him. It will strengthen the bonds between the reader and you. And it is virtually free.

Read to Self • Buddy Read • Listening to a Read Aloud 

Sound too good to be true? Actually, it isn't. The magical method: taking time to read aloud to your child. Inspiration and ideas at www.readaloud.org.

PARENTS AND TEACHERS:  When giving a book to a child/parents include a copy of this reading brochure with the book - it will help get the message to parents about the importance of reading. Go to McBookwords > Resources > Read Aloud Brochure (PDF) http://www.mcbookwords.com/resources/

TEACHERS: Promote reading at home with this program READ TO ME.  Information at when giving a book to a child/parents include a copy of this reading brochure with the book - it will help get the message to parents about the importance of reading. Go to McBookwords > Resources > Read to Me Everyday. (PDF) http://www.mcbookwords.com/resources/
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Cite this blog post:
McElmeel, Sharron. (2020, February 16). Building a Community of Readers.  McBookwords (Blog). http://bit.ly/communityofreaders2020 

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