We spent today's class completing our task analysis on the reading process. We used the Kidspiration program and it was a great opportunity to become familiar with this software. It took us the entire class to complete this assignment, but it was a great way to learn about Kidspiration and to really reflect on how we teach the reading process to our students.
I feel that this was a great activity to get us thinking, as educators, about the importance of teaching all components of reading. For example, we talked about how one of the first things we need to do when teaching students to read is ensure that they are able to perform the automatic responses that we often assume they already know. Things that come automatically to most of us can be challenging for some students (for example, blocking out outside noise and sitting properly). As teachers, if we don't notice that one of our students is struggling with this before we have even asked them to perform an academic task, we are not providing the child with a fair opportunity to learn.
Throughout my Education degree, we were constantly told that the primary years are crucial because this is when we teach students how to read. We are responsible for providing them with the foundation they need to be successful readers for the rest of their lives. Doing this activity today made me realize, yet again, how true this is. Learning how to read is an extremely extensive process and we really need to focus on teaching the entire process - not only teaching certain aspects.
I'm really looking forward to experimenting with different programs that will help students develop their reading/academic skills. I think they will be a wonderful resource to bring back to our schools. I feel that as a teacher, I will walk away from this course with a wonderful variety of tools to use with my students!
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