module 5

Module 5 is about RTI an Fair testing. As a pre-service teacher I don't have much experience with these tests. This semester we had to take the states RTI course and it was a very helpful training. I have also observed and helped with a triple i intervention group. I think RTI is an important part of instruction. It was created because children don't all learn alike and they need different instruction. The next part of the module is FAIR testing. Fair testing is given several times during the school year to assess students reading ability. I was lucky to have a supervising teacher that showed me a students test scores and helped me analyze them. She showed me how she could plan her intervention based on her scores. I am looking forward to analyzing my own students data and helping them be successful.

module 6

This module and book chapters were about independent reading. This is important for kids because it has so many benefits. Research tells us that when students engage in independent reading it can (Kelley & Clausen-Grace, 2008):

• Increase vocabulary.
• Support academic gains.
• Predict future reading and writing competence.
• Promote comprehension.
• Develop reader confidence and self-efficacy.
• Improve motivation (attitude and desire) to read.

I used this strategy when I was doing my case study. I was teaching my student comprehension strategies. I had her read independently and then we discussed the story. This is something we have to make time for in the classroom. Many students like this but, you have to be careful since some students fake read. It is important to engage students in reading. You need to have a distraction free environment and a wind variety of reading materials available for them. You should talk to your kids about what they are reading and monitor them. This may be a way for you to find out if they comprehend what they are reading. 

Module 3 Chapter 8 & 9 of DeVries

     This module and readings taught us about comprehension. The goal of reading is for our students to understand. Right now I am working on my case study and the student I am working with is weak in comprehension. These were good chapters for me to review since my intervention will be teaching comprehension strategies. There are many helpful tools to use for comprehension. The DeVries book in chapter 8 talks about using graphic organizers.(REC 5.3, 6.6,6.8)(ELL) There are several different graphic organizers. There are story maps, charts, webs, and diagrams. We have used several of these in our second reading class. I will use several graphic organizers with my student. I think a helpful graphic organizer for comprehension is the beginning, middle, end organizer.(ELL) It helps the students organize the story and understand what happened in a sequence. On page 210 of the DeVries book they described an activity of retelling using puppets.(ELL) This will help the student sequence and recall the story using puppets. I think this would engage the students and be an interesting activity. I will use this strategy with the student I am working with since she has problems retelling the story. 

module 4 prediction

This module was very helpful for me when I did my case study. I worked with the student on comprehension, retelling, and predictions. I liked the introduction of this module and how it explained what prediction meant and gave an example. The example they gave was predicting weather. I think using this example would be helpful for students since they can understand weather and the up and downs of it. When kids are reading their predictions should be the same.  When a reader makes a prediction they are using their background knowledge and textual clues to infer what will happen in the text. This is an important strategy to teach kids to help them with comprehension. I had the opportunity to teach the child I worked with during our case study. I related prediction to real life issues so she could see how we predict things daily.

Module 2 Chapter 12

       Module 2 and the chapter is about spelling. I learned how to do spelling assessment in the 2nd reading class. I used the Words Your Way book and administered a few spelling tests with the student I was working with for my case study.(REC 5.3,5.12,6.3) The  DeVries book says we should teach children how to spell, not tell them what to spell. There are some great spelling activities on page 335 of the  DeVries book. I like doing fun activities with my students because I think it will keep them engaged and interested in learning. (ELL)Page 335 of the  DeVries book talks about using magnetic letters with your students. This is a good strategy. You can also simplify it with your ELL or struggling students by pre-selecting letters for them and laying them out. You can work on CVC patterns and this would make a good center. (ELL)(REC 6.11)
      Technology is a big part of the world now. It is important to integrate technology into our lessons. On page 338 of the  DeVries book it list different websites that can help students with spelling. The different websites have spelling games. word searches, and word puzzles. It would be good to compile a list of different websites and let the parents know. You  can allow students to use these websites to practice their skills during centers or free time.