Shared Reading

                  Shared reading is an important activity you can do in your classroom. During this time the teacher is sharing this reading experience with the children. One of the things children can do during this time is to make predictions. They can make predictions based off of the cover of the book, the pictures, and the text. During this shared reading time child may read along with the teacher. There are so many interactions that can take place during this time. Children are learning while being engaged, when the teacher presents a shared reading. Big books are great for shared reading experiences.

                When shared reading time is presented correctly children have the chance to be creative and interact with literacy in a new way. These experiences can be very meaningful and teach different concepts, depending on how the teacher approaches it. Different activities can follow a shared reading that makes this experience even more meaningful. During shared reading time teachers can ask questions that inspire deeper thoughts. Teachers should be familiar with the book they use during shared reading. Being prepared will allow the teacher to ask more meaningful questions. Shared reading is a valuable experience that children can enjoy and learn from.  

Literacy Choices

               Literacy choices should be well thought out and meaningful. Teachers can plan literacy choices that meet the needs of the classroom. Teachers can use charts to help children pick their literacy choice. The teacher of the classroom should interact with the students during literacy choice time. Teachers can ask questions that spark ideas and learning. Children have freedom to explore literacy in many different ways during this class time. The teacher can guide individual children or small groups during literacy choice time. This time also allows teachers to observe what the children are doing and to make assessments. Children have time to work together or by themselves to do something that they are interested in, while gaining literacy skills. Teachers can use white boards, letter magnets, notebooks, and several other materials to create different literacy choices. During this time children can make predictions, write, read, and more. Picking meaningful literacy choices will engage students and keep them on task. Changing the literacy choices to meet the needs of the students can help keep them engaged. When teachers know their students well, they can make choices that better fit their needs. Every learning experience can be meaningful when it is well thought out and it is created with the children in mind. 

Thinking of Literacy in a Social Manner

How do Children’s literacy skills affect them socially? How does literacy play a role in the social aspects of a classroom? When a child is removed from a group or an activity for extra help does this change the social dynamics of a class?

            Children observe and notice one another’s strengths and weaknesses. If a teacher is always putting down a student or correcting a student’s behavior that child’s classmates are taking note of these actions. Children see which students are leaving the room for extra help and they also notice the students that always have the correct answer. These actions can affect how students work together. Students may form groups according to their abilities that could exclude other children. Teachers might be forming these types of groups themselves without even realizing it. The classroom rules and routine itself may set up boundaries for certain children. These are situations teachers need to be aware of. Understanding the social aspects of your classroom can help you understand more about a child’s learning. When children of different abilities work together they can help each other learn, improving their skills. When a student teaches something to another student both children are learning. Teaching or helping another student out takes effort and reinforces concepts. Children need the time to work with other children in different groups. Creating groups where children never get to work with others makes social and learning problems. Teachers must look at the social interactions of their classroom, their daily schedule, and the classroom rules to create the best learning environment possible.