Prompt: Response to Readicide. What is the message? What is your reaction? What are your connections to school experiences? What are ways you now understand will help students read more effectively in your discipline?
Gallagher's message is to inform us how schools are killing reading and what we can do about it. He lets us know his views on the current school system and that he believes schools are only teaching students how to be good test takers. Gallagher also believes that schools are limiting authentic reading experiences and working against developing independent readers. In chapter 1 he discusses 2 ways that harm young readers by emphasizing test preparation: 1) a curriculum steeped in multiple choice test preparation drives shallow teaching and learning 2)rather than lift up struggling readers, an emphasis on multiple choice test preparation ensures that struggling readers will continue to struggle (test preparation reading plays a large part in maintaining "apartheid schools"
My first reaction to the introduction and first chapter of Readicide was WOW! I could tell how strongly Gallagher fought about students and reading. He bluntly says that he does not agree with the way schools are teaching our students how to only be good test takers. He mentioned many statistics that were mind blogging such as the achievement gap and the progress (or lack there of) of NCLB. I think Gallagher does a great job of demonstrating how the Paige Paradox is hurting our students and is at the forefront of the readicide movement.
I have mentioned before that I experienced some struggle with vocabulary with my students but I have limited experience with reading comprehension within my content. I am currently learning strategies that will hopefully help me in my future experience as a teacher.
I have changed my research topic to include how to use graphic organizers to help students with vocabulary and in turn help build on their reading comprehension. Through reading Readicide and researching strategies on how to help students improve their reading comprehension I hope that I will have a better understanding of what is going on in the "typical" classroom and how to incorporate the "standards" plus literacy!
I agree with you, Casie. I was taken away by Readicide's first chapter. Gallagher is strong in his conviction that he wants his students to be more than a test score. I like the way you are starting at the beginning and working with graphic organizers before reading. If students can learn to activate what they know, they have a good chance of getting the GIST from what they read. I'm looking forward to your action research.
ReplyDeleteI think that your inexperience with vocabulary and teaching might be an asset. I think that a lot of students are coming from where you were and that you will have a better way of presenting the material to them or providing them with ways you managed to fill the gaps for yourself.
ReplyDeleteI too was impressed by the author's defiant-like passion for his students. You can see that he is a teacher that invests much more than the job requires. Maybe you can share your inexperience with the literature to your students and make it joint effort. Tackle the issue together and make them feel like it's true group learning experience?
ReplyDeleteI think Gallagher's passion for Readicide is what makes the books so powerful.We get to see how much it is bothering him and how much he is willing to fight to protect reading in our schools. I think the use of graphic organizers in the classroom is a great tool to "spice" up a lesson plan and i think your students will really enjoy the addition Casie.
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