Thursday, May 14, 2015

Standard 5

Standard 5 Literate Environment 

  • Understand the role of routines in creating and maintaining positive learning environments for reading and writing instruction using traditional print, digital, and online resources.

I have always been a firm believer in positive reinforcement and creating a positive learning environment.  Throughout this journey with Liv, my beliefs have been confirmed.  Liv responds well to praise and encouragement and really strives to improve her reading skills.  I discovered (with the help of some suggestions) that allowing her to struggle to decipher words only frustrates her to the point that every word beyond the initial struggle also becomes a struggle.  I now help her with words that she can’t decode and it seems to help her fluency.  I have also been doing a lot of partner reading with Liv, so that she can witness a proficient reader.  She always comments on how fast I read and I am always quick to tell her that she will be that fast if she keeps working as hard as she does.  I also work diligently to build her confidence in reading by giving her words of praise, rewards such as pencils and stickers, and lots of encouragement.  I have also learned to give her an assignment that she excels at after each activity or book that might leave her frustrated.  For example, after reading a particularly difficult book I will give her an activity involving emotions or comprehension which are two things that she excels at.  I have found that by ending our sessions on a positive note, it helps build her confidence for our next session.  Liv is very motivated to learn to improve her reading skills.  At the beginning of our time together, she broke down in tears when she told me that she wasn’t a very good reader.  I have reiterated that she is a great reader and that it is not always about how fast you read, but about how well you comprehend what you have read (something that she does well).  I believe that due to all of the positive words, Liv tries even harder to improve her reading skills.  Her mother recently broke down in tears because Liv was able to read birthday cards in the store by herself, something that she couldn’t previously do.  It absolutely amazes me at all of the progress she has made in such a short time!


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