-> Sheila, can you honestly say that when you read you read every single
-> word? For every single genre that you read?
Every single word for every single genre? No. Of course not (I've
already answered this point in another post on this topic to, I think,
Erica Long).
Because in _some_ cases I do not read every single word, does that mean
we do not need to teach children to read every single word on the paper?
Of course not. We all have some cases in which we need to read every
single word on the paper. Therefore, we must teach children how to read
every single word in a document, so that when it is necessary to do so,
they will have this ability. They may not use it all the time, but they
need to have the skill so that they can use it when they need to.
I do believe that the overwhelming majority of the time I read every
single word on the paper, even when I read novels. However, even I skip
over words occassionally, when the novel gets to a suspenseful part and
I can't wait to see what happens next, as you indicate (I believe) when
you write:
-> When I am reading fiction I tend to read much faster - sometimes I
-> will read slow fast (if you get my meaning?) and sometimes faster
-> depending on the format of the writing and the way an author writes,
-> also what is happening at the time.
   ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
-> When I read to the kids (and I am an excellent story reader - or so I
-> have been told since my own children were very small) at school I
-> often realize that I have not read the correct word.
This is not the same as not reading every word. This is reading every
word, but making some mistakes.
-> Now as long as the meaning and context are okay I don't bother to
-> change it.
I sometimes do the same when I read aloud stories to my children. The
point is, we are none of us perfect. Saying, "oops, I made a mistake
reading, but the context is the same and it is recreational reading
anyhow, so why bother to correct it?" is no justification for not
teaching students to read accurately, as we all know that they will need
the ability to read certain things accurately some time down the line.
I suppose kindergarten, and possibly even first grade, are not times to
nitpick. By third grade, in some contexts, it is long overdue IMO to
stress reading for accuracy. It should be part of the curriculum for the
teacher to introduce meaningful reading assignments in which the
importance of accurate reading is clear to the students.
-> I think this also lets the children know that we make mistakes too
-> and encourages them to be risk takers.
->
-> Well what do you think?
Obviously we all make mistakes, and we should let the students know
this. I think that has nothing to do with teaching accuracy in reading.
That's another topic altogether.
-> BTW, still have to post you about the spelling. I have to assimilate
-> some stuff so I can write it in a coherent form. ;)
-> I'm very busy right now taking inservices at my Board of Ed.
Don't put too much pressure on yourself over this echo. I am in a
similar situation myself, and am several days behind in replying to
messages. I don't expect it to get better anytime soon. We started with
our first faculty meetings on Tues. and I lead a workshop at our school
today for our math department on the Geometer's Sketchpad software from
Key Curriculum Press. I was very pleased. Everyone did really well (we
had almost all hands-on activities with 8 teachers having a computer to
use by themself, and two pairs of teachers sharing on the other two
computers. I had to interrupt them to let them know when it was time to
stop! Tomorrow I am doing another session with the department on the
same software. It is really exciting to see even some of the old fossils
in our department, who are extremely reluctant to have anything to do
with computers, being successful and learning to use them.
-> Tomorrow in Math we are integrating Science and Technology - we were
-> told to wear old clothes - can hardly wait!
Good luck. Hope you have fun, learn lots, and feel like you've
accomplished something and prepared yourself for the students!
Sheila
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