Monday, September 7, 2015
Allison Sumerel's September Blog Post: The Habit of Kidwatching
While reading O'Keefe's, The Habit of Kidwatching, I took note of things that I am already doing in my classroom and things that I need to do better. I liked what he had to say about not being focused on the amount of things that you are documenting, but instead being focused on what you notice and how it can help. The idea of having a sheet for each student is a great one. It could just be a continuous record of what they are reading with dates and short comments of things that you might want to keep an eye on for the next time you are conferencing. Independent reading time, of course, is super important. Yet, I think even more important is the coaching piece of reading. Letting the students read to you and discuss for five minutes or so can tell you their thought processes. It can also tell you if they are reading books that are appropriate for them. Are they understanding what they are reading? I think getting in this habit, can only help to make better readers. I look forward to trying these things in my classroom this year.
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I liked that you pointed out that kidwatching and note taking doesn't have to be an elaborate spread sheet of information. I think sometimes teachers feel the need to go above and beyond to show effort, when in this situation, simple notes and observations can be as beneficial, if not more beneficial.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog, Allison! I like your point of view!
ReplyDeleteGreat blog, Allison! I like your point of view!
ReplyDeleteAllison, I like the way you have put coaching with independent reading. The two go together. As the year progresses I am sure you will see how the Kidwatching, independent reading with conferencing, voice & choice, and SLO all tie together.
ReplyDeleteAllison, Allowing students to discuss their reading with you not only gives you a better understanding of their abilities, it also allows them to share their excitement about their books with you and lets you know them better.
ReplyDeleteAllison, Allowing students to discuss their reading with you not only gives you a better understanding of their abilities, it also allows them to share their excitement about their books with you and lets you know them better.
ReplyDeleteAllison, I agree with you about taking 5 minutes to sit and listen to a student. It is so beneficial. It will let you see strengths and will provide a special time for each child. It might be the only time some of the children are actually listened to as they read. How better to teach them that reading is important than by giving them your time.
ReplyDeleteHi Allison,
ReplyDeleteI, too appreciate the strategies that O'Keefe shared about kidwatching as well. It was validating to know that he believed the purpose and value of kidwatching wasn't the records but the process and what we learned about each student from it that we could use to guide our instruction and our support of their learning. I am glad that you are trying this out with your students. Sincerely, Dawn