EDRD 7717: M2 PowerPoint Summary

When reading the PowerPoints upon completing the assigned readings I found that there was a lot of information that went along with the Opitz text.  One of the parts of the presentation that stood out to be was the review of "Sociocultural Considerations in Literacy Development".  I had no read much on their theorists since undergrad and now looking back I found that a lot of what both Piaget and Vygotsky said are true (although completely opposite of one another).

Going through the stages of reading and writing development were also great reviews and allowed me to reflect and see that the students in my class are still on all different developmental levels.  I have students in my 2nd grade class ages 6-9! There are so many kids growing at different rates developmentally, physically, and emotionally, it is exhausting!

There are so many ways that teachers can teach that work for each child.  I think it is so important that all students' needs are met.  The Assessment of Reading and Writing Processes" was very insightful and allowed me, as a teacher, to see areas in which I can and should be assessing students.  I do wonder sometimes about children and vocabulary development.  My school uses a phonics program that has students leveled for word study groups.  I find that my students who are in the higher level are great spellers and have a good vocabulary but often do not even know how to properly use the words.  This was interesting to me when I read that children with high vocabulary typically have higher comprehension.  This caused me to go back and check.  I found that my students in my highest word study group were also my strongest readers! Thus, this is correct! How interesting?

I really dislike making rubrics.  What I have found that fixes the problem is that the students help me make them! :) When we do this, the students are able to set goals in which they hope to achieve in their work.  I also like to give the rubrics to the students so that they are in charge of grading their own piece.  They are taking ownership and it is teaching them to edit and look over their piece before turning it in.