Today I interviewed "Liv" who is a nine year old third grader. She is struggling with reading and receives help through Title I at school and I also tutor her twice a week. She has come a long way since I began working with her in October and is quickly picking up various strategies to help her decipher words. I chose to use the first reading interview option that was listed. Here are the answers to her questions:
Reading interview
What type of books do you like to read the most?
I like to read the Junie B. Jones books.
Tell me about some of the last books you read.
I just read a Pinkalicious book where she used up all her friend's paints and her friend was mad because Pinkalicious promised she wouldn't use them all. At the end, Pinkalicious bought her more pink paint and they were friends again.
I also read a book about Junie B. Jones where she is scared that she will look like her cousin Eld when she loses her teeth.
What do you like to read about?
I like to read about things that could really happen to me.
Do you have a favorite author? What do you like about that author?
Barbara Park is my favorite author because she writes books about a little girl who is like me. I think the things that happen in her books could happen to me.
Does anyone in your family read a lot? Who?
My cousins Stormy and Kelly and sometimes my sister but not really.
Who reads to you?
Ms. Lisa, the aid at school
Do you have books at your house?
yes, lots
Where do you like to read?
I like to read at home and with you(I tutor her)
Have you been to a library?
yes
What else can you read besides books?
lots of things, like magazines, menus, signs, things on a wall, words on clothes
Why is it important to know how to read?
If you couldn't, you wouldn't be able to learn. I couldn't be a nurse. There are lots of things you couldn't do like cook or order food at a restaurant.
Liv loves to read, but she struggles a lot. She understands the importance of reading and it broke my heart to see her cry when she told me she wasn't good at it. She works really hard to improve and quickly picks up the strategies that I am giving her, but tends to forget them at times. In my opinion, her main problem is focusing on what she is reading. I have noticed that even though I think she isn't comprehending what she is reading because of her focus issues, she always answers all my questions correctly at the end of our sessions. I am hoping that I will be able to help her more as I continue to work on my reading specialization.
I'm glad your student understands the importance of reading, even though there is some struggle. Typically with strugglers, I see students completely shut off from reading, refusing to find any importance in it whatsoever (which is absurd). My WOW moment was when she realized that menus and things like that are also considered reading. My students always look at me like I'm insane when I tell them that they constantly read when they're on Facebook or Twitter. It's like they don't consider that reading because they find it entertaining. I WONDER what kinds of books you are going to surround her with as you continue on your journey together. She seems to look up to you and like that you can help her-- that within itself can be a blessing!
ReplyDeleteThis whole post "WOW"ed me. This girl seems to really love to read and want to read. I can see that she must look up to you and really take your advice. I'm so glad she has a teacher like you to help her! I loved how she enjoys reading books about girls like her. This makes me WONDER if she uses strategies such as relating things she reads to things about her life when she is reading a book such as science or social studies. That is one of the best methods I use in my classroom when explaining concepts that might be hard to understand to my students.
ReplyDeleteHeather, I agree with you in regards to the fact we often assume students who appear to not be focusing (looking around the room, fiddling with their hands or an object) aren't paying attention or comprehending. I am often surprised when these students answer my questions correctly. I am interested to hear more about the decoding strategies you use with her, as well as the types of text you use to peak her interest. I love the personal experience you have with her.
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