Except, as far as I know, that argument was settled a long time ago.
Lovebug needed me at that point, so our conversation ended. But naturally, I couldn't just let it go. I went home and started Googling.
.jpg "Reading instruction ideas.")
"Whole Language", by the way, is not the memorization of whole words at the expense of phonics - despite what some web sites and California school districts of the '90's would have you believe. But it did focus on meaning and context, instead of phonics and phonemic awareness. When I was in graduate school, the talk was all about Whole Language - the idea of teaching phonics and grammar and vocabulary in the context of real literature, with a strong focus on comprehension. And then, my first teaching job was as a long-term first grade substitute in a district that used an extremely structured, phonics-based reading curriculum called Open Court. Basically the anti-thesis of everything I had been taught in graduate school.
Both times, most of my students learned to read.
Then I moved to Kansas City, Kansas and started teaching first grade there. My first year, there was no reading curriculum. I was the only first grade teacher who had actually taught before, so I cobbled together info from the Open Court curriculum I'd subbed with (and taken a class on) with what I'd learned in grad school.
Again, most of my students learned to read. Though I did have more students who had missed out on early literacy experiences, so not as many of them reached fluent status.
The next year, KCK began using Guided Reading, also known as Balanced Literacy, as its reading curriculum. I liked how it combined my favorite things about the phonics curriculum and whole language, but I was dismayed by how many colleagues didn't know how to teach it.
To teach reading well, you have to understand phonemic awareness, phonics, comprehension and vocabulary acquisition on a deep, deep level. Most teacher training programs (back then, anyway) did not foster that deep understanding.
And when I say "teach reading well", I mean teach ALL of your students to be good readers. A competent teacher doesn't need a lot of support to teach kids with typical abilities and parents who read to them every night to read. But kids who learn differently, or didn't hear stories until they went to kindergarten, need reading teachers who are better than competent.
And they also need teachers (and schools) that aren't married to one particular curricula or methodology. That was my issue with Reading Recovery, which is a one-on-one program for kids who are slightly behind the reading curve in first grade. The only difference was that it was one-on-one, otherwise it was the exact same curriculum used in the classrooms. It reminded me of Americans speaking more loudly to people who don't understand English, instead of looking for alternative methods of communication.
We need to stop doing the same thing more loudly with kids who aren't reading on grade level; we need to try something completely different. We need to stop asking, "Phonics or Whole Language?" and start assessing (truly and deeply, not on bullshit standardized tests written by underpaid freelancers for monolithic testing companies) where each student is lacking.
It has always driven me crazy that so many districts, or other powers that be, latch on to the latest thing every few years, as if it's going to be a cure-all for whatever's causing kids to fail. Also, the belief that having standards is somehow the same as actually teaching kids to reach those standards bugs the crap out of me. As does the concept that every child can be successful being taught the exact same way, if only we test them enough, or make the teachers document enough.
29 comments:
It's weird how things can be SO different from one place to another. Our town is hardcore about reading. They place more emphasis on reading, starting from kindergarten, than any other subject.
That reading recovery program doesn't sound very effective at all. My son struggles with reading and his school uses the Dibels program. He is slowly progressing in the program. He works with a small group of students and a special ed. teacher.
Oh, I have an opinion about that. I have one kid who was more responsive to a whole language approach and another who was more responsive to a phonics approach. So I'd hope teachers would use elements of both and then tailor it further for the students who seem to be struggling, see what kind of learners they are and teach accordingly.
Oye, don't even get me started on education in America. Every state teaches children differently. I truly feel we need a more uniform approach, and it would really help if schools would stick to teaching one curriculum instead of changing it every year (like they do here in Massachusetts).
I totally agree with your thoughts on doing something different with kids that aren't getting it. Isn't it funny how we think we will reach them if we talk louder? I have never heard of the debate which was interesting to think about. Thanks so much for sharing!
I agree. I hate this freaking Common Core bull they are pushing now. I miss the days when teachers could teach the kids in their classroom as they needed to be taught. Having to push the state tests all year long is ridiculous. I had my daughter retained last year because she missed the "passing" by 3 POINTS!! 3 points and they gave her an extra year of third grade. And what is sad is she mad A's and B's all year long.
My son has to read every night as part of his homework. They check his reading journal on a daily basis.
My son's school is all about FACT they teach they kids all year to get them ready fro this test and over look smaller things like balancing a check book.
I have so much respect for you teachers. I don't know how you do it. My oldest started Kindergarten this year. He's just now learning to read. I love listening to him sounding out the words :)
Part of the reason I've chosen private school for my son is because I feel like it will offer more consistency in terms of what is taught and the approach that is used. Public schools seem to be micromanaged and so focused on test scores that they can't see which end is up!
Oh you just opened a can of worms. I'm so discouraged with our education systme. My kids used to LOVE to read and now they are not liking it so much. All because of the school continually changing the curriculum and the overwhelming amounts of testing! Seriously Screw the testing and just TEACH them maybe they can pass the test at the end of the year. But it seems like my kids are getting "tested" for something or other every two weeks. what ht heck. They don't have time to actually teach anymore. And I agree, the same method won't work as a cookie cutter mold for every single student. You need to be flexible.
Reading is so important, and it seems like it doesn't get as much focus as it really should. I think implements of both phonics and whole word learning should be applied to help make it accesible for everyone. Some kids learn better with one than the other.
If they keep switching methodologies every few years, how are kids expected to get a good strong foundation? They do with so many subjects!
My goodness. I have so much to say on this. As the mother of 2 girls with dyslexia and a home educator, it's not always cut in dry. I didn't learn that things aren't always so cut and dry in college! Every child is different and most kids need one-on-one teaching in SOMETHING~ but like you said, school districts are too busy jumping on the latest bandwagon and worrying about stupid standardized tests. It's just not working anymore.
Tiffany
I had a teacher at school who put me down over and over, she would pull me out in front of the class to make an example of me, as she said I was lazy as I couldn't spell but could read. I was 7 years old and still now the things she did haunt me and as much as I know it was her problem (at 14 and after moving I was finally tested for dyslexia and found to be very dyslexic in spelling) it very much changed me as a person from a child who was outgoing I became an obsessive perfectionist and I'm pretty sure she had a part to play n my mental health issue that developed as well. Thankfully she was a one off and I could name many more fantastic teachers I came across who spent time with me and tried to help me. I do think though schools and some teachers need to realise they do shape children at a younge age. x
I think many people are on the fence with the whole Phonics vs whole language debate. There is room for both of them, in my opinion.
These Schools Kills Me They Don't Teach What Is Important Anymore You Have To Know How To Read In This World To Survive!!
This is very interesting to me, as I am constantly finding myself annoyed at how my son is taught different things. I think you really need a balance of styles. No one teaching method is the way.
It is definitely taught differently now than before I don't know if its better or worse, but I notice my niece is learning so I guess that it can't be bad right?
This is soo true! I'm so worried now that my son is in school because we've been reading to him in English this whole time and now he is in French only school system and I'm not sure they are teaching him how to read there. My neighbor, who also happen to be the woman to took care of my son (she has a home daycare), tells me that the school system where I live (QC) is not doing what they are supposed to to do to teach kids how to read. That to me is scary!
Schools over here are always teaching things differently.I had a lot of problems with teachers growing up, I was in one of those schools that it did not matter if you could not keep up with what they were teaching they carried on regardless,Therefor a lot of kids got left behind.Schools all over should have a set way to teach.
Hey, two of my aunts teach in KCK :) Wonder if you know them :)
We loved Josh's last school. It was project & technology based. When we moved it was a huge change. Funny how different schools can be!
I had difficulty as a child and they assumed I wasn't able to read. My reading was actually excellent, but I was going deaf! Imagine that.. Phonetics became incredibly important once I regained my hearing. It was thanks to a teacher who took the time to do things well with me, rather than speak 'louder'.
It is so hard these days finding a good teacher. So important for us as parents to help out!
I agree with Amber Nelson. As a parent I feel it's my responsibility to get my children ready for school. Learning and reading starts at home, I know that not a lot of children have that, but for us, I don't see any other way. I'm happy to see that you don't have a one size fits all approach to your students. I wish more schools/teachers had that stance as well.
Learning starts in school but should also be re-enforced at home. I studied English in India as a whole language. I see how my girls are learning reading and writing here in NJ and I have to say I am so impressed. I have to agree with you, I am not a fan of the constant change in curriculum
If I tell my kids to read they don't they fight me tooth and nail. But if I calmly suggest we all cuddle and read they will. Also both of them will curl up in their fuzzy blankets and read before they go to bed anyways. So I just keep an eye on them to track what they should be reading in school. They both have to read 20 minutes a night so this way for us its not forced but still done.
My kids are learning through montessori and my just turned 6 year old can read basic things now, I'm quite impressed. My son can sound a few things out, but he's only 3.5 and there's no rush. I hope you find something that works.
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