My Personal Model of the Theory of Reading

Laura Jordan

EDRD 7715

Due: 6/12/13

Personal Model of the Theory of Reading

            Reading is a wonderful gift that we can share with everyone we come into contact with.  Literacy truly is a personal journey that can open up a child’s eyes to a world of possibilities.  Being able to read is essential in being successful later on life.  I think reading is a learned practice that grows into a life skill that children can experience with everyone around them.

            I have had my own personal struggles with reading from a very early age.  I was uninterested in what I was reading, and because I was uninterested I read less. I would not read on my own, so when I was asked to read in front of the class I was embarrassed and would shy away.  In my first year of teaching second grade at The Lovett School I learned that there were children just like me struggling to find their perfect fit in reading.  I saw students who were nervous to read even in front of me for fear of being wrong.  This was very upsetting and quickly got me thinking of various ways to change the way I believe reading should be taught.

            Through the use of reading workshop, each student in my class is allowed to pick a book of their choice within their reading level.  During reading workshop, I am able to work with students one on one or in small groups to address needs that each child faces.  I do not believe that with reading “one size fits all” and I think it is important to remember that when planning proper literacy instruction. Allowing students to make the choice of what they read gives them an understanding that they are not reading for their teachers or their parents, but for themselves.  This is a wonderful lesson to learn so that students can find things that interest them through the power of books and various other texts. 

            When planning instruction I believe that there are various ways in which I can get a child to read so they can overcome their struggles and smooth out their worries.  I would have the students do choral reading, buddy reading, and book clubs so that they are working with their classmates who have the same struggles they have.  Soon I began to see students engage with literacy more and increase difficulty on their guided reading charts.

            My philosophy of reading is that being an active reader myself helps my students see how important reading is as a life long skill.  Reading is essential and a wonderful gift. Reading is a personal journey that I absolutely treasure.  Through my college career and teaching this past year I have learned the importance of literacy instruction and effective ways to teach reading to all types of learners.  I believe that my students see my love for reading and crave that same love.  Creating a love of learning and a love of reading for children is an undeniably special experience.  By allowing students to choose their own genres and texts students are able to overcome some of their struggles and anxieties with reading.