In my opinion, teaching kids (with disabilities especially) to read is one of the most challenging things. I use a wide array of strategies, but although I've been teaching 4th, 5th, and 6th grades for over 10 years, it still seems I'm searching for the right tools...this feels like a weakness. For the ones who are really struggling, I go back to the basics, work on decoding strategies. For those with reading comprehension issues, I tend to teach the tricks, and work on the engagement needed to fully comprehend. I really enjoyed reading a book called The Book Whisperer. I feel that this was a very easy going approach, yet inspiring. After implementing some of the authors strategies, I can see a shift in the attitudes of some of my students.
With the Common Core standards being implemented, I'm seeing the heavy concentration being put on finding the theme of the text, and the overall analysis of the piece. This is stirring up a lot of angst, especially with the high number of students on the autism spectrum that I see.
I feel like I have embraced the Common Core standards, I've even chosen to attend a 3-day conference on the language arts portion. But in all honesty, I know I still have a lot to learn.
I have not heard of the book you mentioned and am interested to look into it! The common core standards will definitely raise the bar. Our students will have to have their basic skills down in order to tackle the higher levels needed.
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