My focus is normally on our youngest learners. As I started my reading for this week, I hesitated when I noticed that we were focusing on older readers. Even though I hesitated, I found myself really interested in Chapter 8 on Assessing and Teaching Older Readers. It's true...older readers need help too! I was shocked to read that as many as 70 percent of older readers read below grade level. NO!!!!!! It was difficult to read about the emotional consequences that students potentially encounter from experiencing difficulty with reading. I've always figured that this happens...but as I was reading, I was picturing the students that I've had over the last few years, who I know could be one of these "older readers" one day. I worry about those students. It was promising to read through the ideas of reaching through students' emotional difficulties to help them learn to read.
As I mentioned above, even now in my classroom with my Kindergarten students-there are students who could be one of these students who really struggles when they are older. This possibility only motivates ME to do all I can do for the short 2 1/2 hours a day that I have them...to ensure that they can be the best readers they can be.
All I have to say is Amen! Well maybe that isn't all I have to say, but it is my initial response to your post. I teach the older kids, and the majority of mine struggle with reading for various reasons. I think we all do our best to inspire them to become readers, but we have many things working again us in this society. It can sometimes feel like an uphill battle at any level.
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