Module 4: Activity 2

Which NRP topic area(s) or missing pillar(s) that Allington describes do you find to be most vital for children’s literacy success? Why? Post your response on your blog. Name the posting "Module 4: Activity 2."

I found the Allington pillars more appealing to my opinion of children’s literacy success.  There were three pillars that stood out to me:

1.)   Access to interesting text choice: I believe that as a teacher is it absolutely essential to give students choices.  If we want our students to love to read we have to give all of them the opportunity to find something that they truly love to read.  Allowing students to make choices gives them the power so they feel more motivated to read something that they have chosen.  Also allowing them to read these texts with a partner will allow them to be held accountable for reading something and meeting deadlines.

2.)   Matching kids to appropriate texts: At the beginning of the school year I find so many of my students begging me to read Magic Tree House books.  I find that most of my students are not ready for these texts.  I will never tell a student that they should not read a text that is too hard for them.  But I will direct them to something on their level for our “Just Right Reading” time.  Having students read at their level will help them gain confidence and practice the skills appropriate to their level so that they move may up.  I think that this goes hand in hand with the above stated pillar.  Give a student a set of choices in their level and let them pick! Characters are beginning to truly develop in 2^nd grade books and they are able to follow characters more closely!

3.)   Balance whole group with small group and one-on-one instruction: I think that all three of these are essential in a classroom.  If we focus too much on one, some children in the class are going to get left behind.  I find it best to work with the whole group at the beginning of the lesson or introducing a skill or topic.  I then plan my small groups around what skills that I noticed need to be built upon.  I also confer every day with my students.  Allowing students independent time where the teacher is not always around gives them space to be creative and independent.  By conferring I am able ot see where a student is and direct him/her in the right path for their desired skill.