Lisa L. Smith        Blog Post #1       (No More Independent Reading without Support)

August

Finding the Time

           When I first started reading this chapter, I must say that I was picturing a room full of 4 year old children trying to read independently.  I admit that I didn’t really think that it was the most productive way to spend 30 minutes of my day that is already shortened by specials, nap, recess, and lunch.  As I read, though my opinions did change.  The author made some very good points about the important practice of letting children practice what we model.  Yes, children need to be manipulating books on their own.  Not just when they are in the reading center, but every day.  The question is where do I find the time?  The author made some very convincing arguments about time we waste in the school setting.  I agree that we do waste a lot of time, but things can take a long time with four year olds.  But I know I can do better.  There has to be time found to help these children become readers.  It is probably the most important thing that we can do for them. 

         I loved the illustration of the soldier that guarded the bench.  No one questioned why it was done, it was just because it always had been done.  That is how we must look at our day.  What is essential to learning?  Anything that is not must be cut to make time for reading in the classroom.  Not only must we be allowing children to read, we must be utilizing the time simultaneously to instruct them as readers.   We must help them to develop the skills that will be the foundation for a lifetime of reading. 

         Though I really enjoyed reading the chapter, I would love to see more examples of this at work in younger classrooms.  What are ways to make this a productive and efficient practice in 4K?  Yes, I want to move toward adding more rich opportunities for my students to engage in meaningful interaction with text, but I would love to see how other successful teachers are making this work in preschool classrooms.