The teacher I spoke with is someone that I currently met
this year but seems to have her classroom in order and when I go by her
students are engaged. Mrs. J. teaches reading intervention, tier 2.
I asked her about what her philosophies on teaching literacy were and
honestly I was waiting for this very intense, explicit, probably an above my
head answer. However, she simply stated
that she knows that all students learn differently, she gets to know them and
how they learn and adjusts her lessons accordingly and that she lets them know
that they are important, and consistency is key. After hearing this I know I feel the same way
but I had to look at my way of teaching to make sure I made them feel that they
were important in my class as well. It
was not the answer from her I expected but it definitely was one I needed.
Tracy,
ReplyDeleteYou're right, those philosophical ideas on teaching literacy are simple yet powerful. Consistency is key in teaching literacy to ELL's. Providing consistency in building relationships with students is important; also, providing consistency in literacy instruction is critical. Consistency and repetition goes a long way with literacy instruction with ELL's.
Heidi