Elise Gregory's September Blog #2-"The Pleasure Principle" by Nancie Atwell
I love to read!! I have a good book in my hand or on my bedside table all the time! I cannot imagine not being able to escape into a good book and become one with the book. I really agreed with Ms. Atwell's student Jed, who coined the phrase"reading in the zone", because that is just what I do. I do agree that my role as a reading teacher is to promote a love of reading and to encourage each child to fine that "love". I do see how the reading workshop enables children to read without the stress of producing answers, writings, and vocabulary lists, but encourages them to read for the pure enjoyment of reading. There is no other way to "grow readers" than to have children practice and love the art of reading. My only concern is that as educators, we are responsible for giving grades. I know, however, that this is a problem that can be solved and still allow students the freedom of reading workshop.
I know that we have to give grades and it is the grade that communicates progress to the parents. But, I have had to ask myself - does the grade show my students' true ability to read and does it reflect their love for reading? I wish I had the perfect answer. Maybe there is a domino affect - create the perfect reading environment with voice and choice and it will lead to a better assessment. I don't know - according to the literature it is possible but there would need to be a paradigm shift on how we gather grades.
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