Reading: New Heights, Many Possibilities

Books have been my friend for a very long time. I fell in love with books from the time I started school. I remember visiting the library once a week to get a stack of books and rushing home to dive into one of them. I also remember getting lost in Toys R Us, not in any of the toy sections, but in the book section, searching for that next perfect book. For me, reading was an opportunity to get lost and explore new places. Fast forward to adulthood, I still get excited when I receive or purchase a new book to read. I can indulge in a new book for hours and be contented.

Recently, I sat down and thought about what is reading. Reading is an act that people have been engaging in since the beginning of time in many shapes and forms. Reading involves weaving together word recognition and comprehension in a fluent manner. Finding a balance between both of these entities is what makes reading complex. It requires the reader to work a little harder to gain meaning from the text. But does it always have to feel like work?

I came across this quote in one of my studies and did some reflecting. It got me really thinking about the art of reading. 

"Reading is more than a skill. It is an adventure."

Two words stood out to me when I first read this- skill and adventure. When someone is skilled in a particular area he/she is an expert or can do something well. An adventurous person engages in an activity for exploration of an unknown territory. Reading should not only be seen as a skill but also as an adventure. When we read, we can immerse ourselves and become connected with the characters and action in the book. Or we can become a part of the scenery when we indulge in informational text. Reading should be seen as a social act, to be shared with others just like when we experience something fun and want to share with family and friends.  It shouldn't be any different.

If reading is not seen as enjoyable, children will not take any interest in the act and will not be able to experience the many possibilities that reading has to offer. We read for a variety of purposes and it is important to let children know this. Reading should always bring a sense of excitement. It should come natural and become a habit.

I always felt I was going on a free vacation when I opened a new book to read. The many places that I visit when I dive into a book is endless. One minute I'm walking home from school with the characters in Syria when a air missile is launched in our direction and later on a boat in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean heading to Florida from Cuba in search of a new life. All of this occurs in less than 10 minutes and did not require me to apply for a visa or purchase a plan ticket. Reading allows readers to not only explore the world around and beyond but also enables them to stretch their understanding of the world.

When we discuss reading with children, we should encourage them to immerse themselves in a book and take a trip with the characters. Not only will this bring excitement and joy to their reading but they will want to continue reading, seeking new adventures each time.  Reading can be fun and enjoyable when we look at it as more than just a skill. Bringing the mindset of traveling to a new place, will not only expand your mind but bring out the creative side in you.

So, the next time you crack open a book, prepare yourself for the journey and enjoy the ride.

Happy Reading!

The Power of Reflection

Reflection is the ability to take a moment to think about one's actions as a way of engaging in continuous learning. As a an educator, being reflective is just as important as passing a high stakes assessment. When reflection become a habit, we are always thinking about how we can improve our lesson next time while teaching the lesson. We are constantly asking questions that probe our abilities and capabilities. It can be a very rewarding process, if there is follow through.

The ultimate goal for an educator is meeting the learning styles of all learners within the classroom. This is one of the hardest task to accomplish.  The classroom is comprised of children who have different life experiences, cultural backgrounds and abilities. This is where the creative juices start flowing. Tapping into those abilities and experiences is what makes the teaching part fun. Ideally, we want our lessons to be seamless but realistically there is always room for growth. That's where reflecting comes in.

"We do not learn from experience...we learn from reflecting on experience." - John Dewey

 There is so much power in reflecting. It allows the reflector an opportunity to think about students through different lens. It brings on a layer of personal accountability, with attainable goals. Choosing not to reflect can make teaching very exhausting with stagnant academic growth. The direction of teaching becomes one way. Students are not the center of instruction rather it is the  content. During the reflection process, you look beyond of what is in front of you and consider the end goal keeping students in mind. There was a time when reflection was not in my vocabulary. I was doing the same things over and over again with no positive results. My students were producing the same caliber of work from the week before and I couldn't figure out what was the problem. I felt that if I kept on doing the same thing, creating a routine, it will be better. I have learned over the years that reflection is the key to success in teaching. When I took the time to reflect, I became a better teacher because I began changing my attitude and shifting my awareness towards my students academic growth. It improved the kind and level of support I provide my students.

I am a paper and pencil kind of gal. I love to create T-charts at the end of the week, jotting down the plus and deltas of my lessons. The beauty in reflecting is creating a self improvement plan instantly. It gives insight of areas of strengths and improvements. I think about how I can improve in my delta areas. It can mean reaching out to colleagues for support, reading books to add more tools to my teacher toolbox, listening to podcasts, visiting other classrooms, ultimately creating my own professional development. Sharing with others about your reflection and what you learned can help another teacher out. You don't know who you might be helping.

I encourage you to carve out some time out of your busy day to reflect on your teaching. Ask yourself some of these questions:

• Have I met the needs of all my learners?
• How can I improve the lesson for the next time?
• Have I included something new in my teaching? 
• What kind of data did I collect today/this week?
• How can I use information gathered from my reflection in my future lessons and/or professional growth?
• Where there any areas of concerns? Who can I seek out for assistance?

Always remember that we are only great when we take the time out to reflect on what we can do better to continue to be great. 

Happy Reflecting!