Reading Instruction Today: A Little Bit of This and That

Several decades ago “Whole Language”, a philosophy of teaching, came onto the reading education scene. Advocates within this trend favored a more holistic approach to teaching reading. That is, whole language and authentic literature based instruction.

At the outset there was confusion about what the “Whole Language” method or philosophy advocated. Teachers who had been teaching reading in a “traditional” fashion misinterpreted the philosophy and falsely concluded direct teaching of phonics was unnatural and ineffective – believing children should be taught whole words in the context of sentences. Many teachers threw phonics out the window with the dish water. The reality is, proponents of the “Whole Language” camp never said stop teaching phonics i.e. vowel sounds, vowel digraphs and consonant clusters – components of words. To the contrary, what they said was they favored analytic phonics –analyze the whole word, then look at its parts. They believed this was a more natural approach to phonics instruction. Rather than, putting letter sounds together, synthesizing it parts, vowels and consonants, into to a whole word – synthetic phonics.

The argument of how to effectively introduce and teach reading has come full circle since the 1950's. Here in 2011 we again are back to teaching the way we had at the turn of the century. Specifically, using basal readers, a collection of reading selections, worksheets and supplementary materials; where vocabulary is controlled and the pictures reflect and convey the meaning of the text or story – accompanied by direct phonics instruction at each grade level. Also know as, synthetic phonics instruction or the “Traditional” way of teaching reading

Today, more than a century has gone by. Direct phonics instructions reigns again, while aspects of the “Whole Language” philosophy remain. If you step into an elementary classroom today, while the daily reading lesson is taking place, you will most likely find teachers using leveled readers (basal readers) workbook pages, while concurrently incorporating authentic forms of children’s literature – books written by professional authors to engage and entertain children.

Higher Expectations For All Students

The last report card the United States received gave us a failing grade in mathematics and sciences. Public schools across the nation have reacted by developing “Common Core State Standards”; in order to send the message “we have higher expectations”, to students, parents and the nation.

What does this mean for parents and educators? All students, including those with special needs, must attain common curricular benchmarks in general education courses such as: language arts, science and mathematics. Although, students with Individual Education Plans (IEPS) will still receive extra support in and out of the classroom and allowed testing accommodations

Does Your Child Read With Fluency?

A fluent reader has the ability to read and comprehend written words accurately and quickly. A child who is fluent performs the task of reading automatically and without hesitation; recognizing words and expressions while understanding their meanings instantly. When reading aloud, a fluent reader’s presentation is smooth, expressive and effortless. Their voice is natural, as though they were talking rather than reading a story or a textbook.

Fluent readers do not focus on the words, they concentrate on the meaning. They make connections between knowledge they already have and the ideas and concepts they’re discovering in the new information they’re reading. Children who are fluent readers enjoy reading and often read for pleasure.

Children who are not fluent readers read word for word, because they are sounding out each word as they move through a story or a textbook. Since these children are so busy decoding each word they lose the meaning of what they’re reading – and have difficulty attaching information they already know to what they’re reading about.

Shocking Statistic

The rate of autism has tripled in California, according to data released by the state’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, in February 2011. Since 2002 special education students with autisms has tripled from 2.6% to 8.8% percent. California is not alone. Across the nation the percentage of students in special education, identified as autistic, is increasing.

Here are three tips for parents and educators who work students with autism:

1. Easing Transitions - Before switching from one activity to another or moving from one environment to another, explain to your child or student what’s going to happen next and where you will be going. This helps alleviate anxiety and resistance.

2. Scripting - Coaching children with autism on ways to address their peers is a good way to help them develop functional language. For example: script for them on how to approach other students on the play ground. That is, tell them how they should greet other children and what they might talk about.

3. Visual Aids – Children with autism feel more secure with a set schedule. To ease anxiety make a visual schedule of the activities they will be involved in each day. For example: a picture of books for reading time, a picture of food for lunch time, a picture of singing for music.

Decades ago autisms was considered a rare disorder. Today, autism is the fastest growing disability category in special education. The cause of autism is still not clear. However, researchers have found numerous genetic links to autism. Sadly, the probability of parents having more than one child with autisms is not unusual.

Help Your Child Learn and Love Reading

As a reading and special education teacher, I often hear the question,

"how can I help my child learn and enjoy reading?

I reply, “get a piece of paper and list the following:”

- Be a model to your child and be a reader yourself. You can achieve this by reading the newspaper daily, subscribing to magazines and reading fiction and non-fiction books of your choice.

- Create a literature rich environment for your child, at their reading level. Fill your home with books your child can read themselves, and those you can read aloud to them. Tip! When you read aloud to your child place your finger under the words. This helps them develop sight word vocabulary. That is, when children see words and here them, they usually make a connection and remember the words.

- Turn off all the distracting media – the television and computer. Get your child used to silence, and they’ll learn to entertain themselves. Also, make an effort to sit down and read together. Enhance this experience with a healthy snack. If you choose leave music on, this often adds to the pleasure of reading.

- Take your child to libraries and bookstores. Spend time in both discovery books and the pleasure of reading. Of course, check books out and buy as many as you can afford

Make a commitment to all of these suggestions. One day, you’ll find your child curled up enjoying a good book.

Strategies for Elementary School Success: Three Ways Parents Can Help

1.ESTABLISH A ROUTINE

Nothing undermines academic achievement more than disorganization.

Write out a schedule that lists:

- When homework needs to be completed,
- What time backpacks need to be packed,
- When your child needs to select next days’ clothes – no rushing in the
morning,
- What time bed-time is – children need a good night’s sleep, to do well in
school.

2.TAKE AN INTEREST

During the school year be involved in your child’s academic, musical and athletic growth. You’ll begin tosee your child begin to develop good self-esteem.
With your child:
- Go through school papers your child completed each day,
- Listen to your child tell about their school day,
- Sit with them and listen while your child practices their musical
instrument,
- Attend sports events.

3.PARTICPATE

Whether you’re volunteering in the classroom, or on the sport’s field, get involved in your child’s life. When parents send the message learning and school is important, children strive to succeed.

Take the time to:

- Attend school open houses and meet your child’s teachers,
- Attend quarterly parent-teacher conferences,
- Keep track of your child’s grades, praise and reward them for good work,
- Join the Parent-Teacher Organization, make an effort to volunteer.

Naturally, most of the strategies above apply to both middle school and high school age children. Remember parental participation and consistency is a perfect combination, to ensure school success.

It's A Beautiful Day In My Neighborhood.

Fall is creeping into my backyard. Every corner of the yard reveals its arrival. Once glorious cone flowers are now fading into black skeletons. Early morning migrating finches, snack on the cone flowers dormant blooms, now full seeds. Monarch butterflies flutter through on their journey to the mountains of Mexico. While chrysanthemums begin to wake up and show their sunny orange and yellow faces. Soon my yard will be filled with colorful fall leaves. All I need to do is find my rake!

Need A Writing Coach?

If you've ever considered working with a writing coach then you need to contact my good friend, Suzanne Lieurance - Freelance Writer, Children's Author and The Working Writer's Coach

She'll help You:

- identify the audience you want to write for.
- develop a platform and brand for you.
- establish you as a writer.
- put together articles for publication, and
- get your freelance writing career off the ground!

This Thursday night she's offering a F.REE sample coaching teleclass. Suzanne can be contacted at any one of her internet sites.

http://www.lieurancegroup.blogspot.com
http://www.the-working-writers-coach.blogspot
http://www.suzannelieurance.com

Make sure sign up for her free newsletter.

Have a great day!

Carol

 


Jewelry 

Turn Your Children's Clocks Back to "School Time"

Yippee! I’m so excited in less than one week my son returns to school. During “summer time” he’s tends to be under foot and demanding of my attention. However, the upside of “summer time” is my son stays up late and sleeps till about 11:00 every morning - out of my hair. So, since I’m a morning person, during “summer time” I’m able to write during the time I usually spend getting him ready for school.

Now all that’s about to end, starting tomorrow I will be turning his clock back to “school time.” I’m going to get him back into his school routine by doing the following:

-Begin waking him up early every morning before school starts. He’ll need to get out of bed and get dressed. He’s not going to like this. Too Bad! He’s got to get his internal clock reset -school starts early,7:15. Of course I’ll warn him tonight – maybe.

- Start gathering up his back pack, bicycle lock and all the other stuff he needs to travel to school. Then inventory and organize school supplies – paper, pencils, pens, erasers, markers, colored pencils, rulers, calculator, protractor…. It takes a lot of stuff to educate a kid these days.

-Get all his clothes organized. Sort out all the clothes he’s outgrown. Buy new ones if neccessary. This will probably require a major re-organization of his closet. He’s going to have to pitch some of that junk he’s saving - i.e. useless remote control airplanes.

-Begin practicing the trombone everyday. Although, he’s required to practice piano everyday I’ve let him slide by on the trombone - no pun intended. Tomorrow that will all end. I’ll sit in agony and make sure he goes through his scales.

-Put him to bed early tomorrow night. Check on him several times, making sure he hasn’t turned the TV on or is playing an X-Box game. Poor kid! Has a television in his room.

Ah, the sweet days of “summer time” have come to an end for my son. But the bliss of “school time” is just around the corner for me.

Simple Pleasures

Take time today to hug your kids. Remember all the joy they bring to your life everyday.

Simple Pleasures

Jump in the Pool

It’s July and the temperature may reach 105 degrees in some parts of the United States. Today, Avoid the heat and stay cool - take a refreshing swim.

Cooking With Kids

Blueberry Muffin Cones

This may seem like a funny combination but kids love this treat - especially when the top of each cone is crowned with dollops of sweet icing and yummy sprinkles.

What You’ll Need:

1 Box Blueberry Muffin Mix
1- Carton of Ice cream cones
1- Can Vanilla Icing
1- Jar Decorator Sprinkles
Cupcake Liners
Muffin Tin

Directions:

1. Prepare muffin mix according to package directions. Divide batter into lined muffin tins. Bake according to directions -Let cool.

2. Remove liners from muffins. Tuck a muffin into each ice cream cone.

3. Ice cones with frosting and decorate with sprinkles.

Makes approximately twelve

With adult supervision your kids will make this easy to make, not too sweet, treat often.

Strategies to Use With Students Who Find Reading Textbooks Too Difficult

If you have students or children who find reading textbooks too difficult, then you need to adapt instruction.

Here are some tips for both parents and teachers:

Supplement The Textbook

- Audio-tape the textbook chapter

- Read the textbook chapter aloud

- Work with your child or students individually or is small groups


Simplify the Textbook

- Write an abridged version of the textbook

- Give students an outline of chapters which highlights the key points they should grasp

- Supplement the textbook with other material, i.e. videos, computer applications


Set Purposes for Reading

- Activate students' prior knowlege before reading the textbook

- Introduce key vocabulary terms before reading

- Write a study guide to help students identify key concepts and terms they will find as they're reading their textbooks

Simple Pleasures

It's mid July and delicious watermelons are appearing at roadside stands and in grocery stores. Dine on watermelon today and enjoy the fruits summer brings.

"One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well. -Virginia Woolf, A Room of One's Own

A Handy Little Black Book

Several months ago I took a writing course. One of the first things the instructor handed to each person in the class was a little black book. It was actually a miniature version of those black-speckled composition notebooks you buy at places like Wal-mart.

The instructor announced, “You need to start thinking like a writer, so that means you need to always be brainstorming about writing ideas. Here’s a little black book to use because you never know when a writing idea will hit you.”

Well, good student that I am, I followed her instructions and began to use that little black book to jot down everything that came to mind. And to this day, I keep that little black book with me at all times. It’s small enough to fit into my tiniest purse or even the pocket of my jeans or a jacket. That’s why it’s so handy when:

- I’m driving down the road and an introductory sentence or phrase for an article comes to mind.

- I’m waiting at the dentist’s office and an idea for a book or an article occurs to me.

- I see a catchy phrase I think I may be able to use in my writing some day.

- I make a new writing contact and need to write their name or email address down.

- I’m at a party and I find myself bored and decide to work on my marketing plan for the following week.

Now that I think like a writer, I always keep my little black book handy, even if it is a little dog eared by now.

Are you thinking like a writer, yet?

If so, then you need a handy little black book, too.

Here are some reflections of motherhood I think both Mom and Dad can appreciate.

4 Years of Age...My Mommy can do anything!

8 Years of Age…My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!

12 Years of Age…My mother doesn’t really know quite everything.

14 Years of Age…Naturally, Mother doesn’t know that either.

16 Years of Age…Mother? She’s hopelessly old-fashioned

18 Years of Age… That Old Woman? She’s way out of date!

25 Years of Age…Well she might know a little bit about it.

35 Years of Age…Before we decide, let’s get Mom’s opinion.

45 Years of Age…Wonder what Mom would have thought about it.

65 Years of Age… Wish I could talk it over with Mom----

Making Homemade Potpourri

Part Two of a Two-Part Article

-Select a Fixative

A fixative “fixes” or holds and absorbs the scents of all the other ingredients. There are several fixatives to choose from. The easiest to use and obtain are orris root powder and gum benzoin.

-Essential Oil

Essential oils are found in perfumed flowers, leaves, roots, and even seeds. Perfume emitted from plant oils may be a citric, floral or a spicy scent. Bottles of essential oils can be found at most craft stores or purchased from specialty stores or catalogues that offer potpourri supplies. Essential oils most popularly used are: rose, lavender, orange blossom, ilang-ilang, jasmine, vanilla and patchouli. It’s a matter of personal choice when selecting an essential oil for your potpourri.

-Assemble Ingredients

Measurements do not have to be exact when mixing all the components in potpourri. Although, if you’re looking for a specific recipe, such as, rose scented potpourri, refer to books on this topic -they will provide more exact measurements. So, for every quart of dried flowers, use about one teaspoon of fixative, and about six drops of essential oil. Adjust both of these according to the quantity of flowers you have available, then just follow these steps.

1. In a small bowl place spices (if they’re ground up), and your fixative. Add six drops of essential oil then thoroughly mix using your fingers.

2. In a separate bowl (larger) mix your flowers, herbs and whole spices (these are your dry ingredients).

3. Pour spices, fixative and essential oils into the larger bowl of dry ingredients. Mix well to ensure that the oil, fixative and spices are evenly distributed.

4. Pour this mixture into an airtight container. Place in a dark place for about six weeks to cure. Shake the container daily, for the first two weeks. This helps distribute the scent, which needs to be absorbed, in all the components of the potpourri mixture.

-Display

By the sixth week the potpourri should be ready to display. The most common way to display potpourri is in a pretty bowl. Although another great way to enjoy the fragrance of potpourri is to wrap a vintage hanker-chief around a cupful. These pretty parcels can be placed in drawers to give them a refreshing scent or given as gifts.

-Learning More

There are many books available on making potpourri. Stop by a book store, drop in your local library or google the word “potpourri” to find information and resources. Also, make sure you check out the San Francisco Herb Company’s website. They carry hundreds of herbs, essential oils and a variety of supplies for making potpourri.


You probably never thought you could make something so fragrant and appealing from your very own back yard. The next time you’re pruning your garden save all your deadheads and make sure you harvest a few flowers, now and then, for homemade potpourri you can make with your kids.

Making Homemade Potpourri, from Your Very Own Back Yard, with Your Kids

Part One of a Two-Part Article

If you’re like me I’m always anxious in the spring to get colorful annuals planted in pots and clear off my perennial and herb beds for the spring and summer season. And, now that it’s mid-summer and many flowers and herbs are at the peak of their blooming period, it’s a perfect time for gathering blossoms for making homemade potpourri.



With a bowl of homegrown flowers and herbs and a few ingredients, found at most craft stores, you’ll find creating a pretty, fragrant potpourri is both easy and fun to make with your kids. Here’s how to go about making homemade potpourri from five basic ingredients – flowers, herbs, spices, fixatives and essential oils:

-Select Flowers

Just about any flower you grow can be used in potpourri. However, some of the best flowers to include, because they dry well, maintain their shapes, and ones most likely grown in your gardens are: marigolds, roses, zinnias, pansies, daisies, dianthus and sunflowers. These flowers retain their color longer and hold up with time.

-Choose Herbs

Of course lavender is an obvious choice; still other wonderful herbs to include in your mixture are sage, mint, and basil leaves, as well as, thyme and rosemary. And, since many herbs bloom, especially mints, it’s a nice touch to include their flowers.

- Dry Blossoms

Gather flowers and herbs when they are dry, preferably mid-morning. In an airy place spread flowers out on sheets of newspaper. Hang bunches of herbs upside down (from their stems) to dry. Within a week most of them should be dry. If not completing dry they will mold.

-Include Spices

Adding spices to potpourri gives it a warm, sweet smell. Spices most commonly used are star anise, cloves, cinnamon and vanilla. They can be added in whole pieces or crushed.

Log on tomorrow for part two of this article. I’ll explain how to assemble your mixture and give you resources for learning more about potpourri and buying ingredients.

Exercise For a Healthier Mind

We all know exercise is good for our bodies. However, most people don’t know exercise is good for their state of minds as well.

Research consistently reveals how exercise can make us feel happier, thereby relieving stress and alleviating minor depression.

Experts explain being active causes our bodies to release chemicals called endorphins. These chemicals act as natural antidepressants. They ease anxiety and can lift our spirits.

So, the next time you feel anxious or sad take a brisk walk, hop on a bike or take a swim. You have nothing to lose but the blues.