BLOG POST 7 (Module 4 Reading Week): Don't underestimate the power of MODELLING!

 


When I reflect on my experience earning my teaching certification, many of my professors stressed the importance of modelling when teaching new skills or techniques in my classes. They expressed that for many students, it will not be enough to just provide direct instruction in a document or PowerPoint - but rather, would require a demonstration of the desired skill/outcome by me...their teacher. 

For the past eight years I have incorporated modelling too many times to count - showing my students how to construct a paragraph, or how to annotate a poem. It has become a natural part of my instruction and teaching practice to provided guided practice and modelling for my students, and I've found that it has the greatest impact in terms of long-term processing and practical application by my students. 

And then, today I came across this image (included above) of a parent asking another parent how she was able to get her child to read...and it reinforced a seemingly obvious strategy that I have been overlooking and undervaluing. 

I need to MODEL better (and consistent) independent reading. 

Several years ago, there were periods of time when I would read 4-5 novels a month at leisure - reading both at home and at school during my lunch breaks. Students would come to my desk and ask me what book I was reading, or why would I choose to read during my lunch break and these were awesome opportunities to build connections and provide real and authentic reasons why independent reading was purposeful and fun! I have a distinct memory of when I was reading the Divergent trilogy (as an avid lover of dystopian fiction) and many of my students were blown away that I enjoyed those novels - going so far as to bring me copies of their own novels (such as The Hunger Games), asking to swap books and share tales of reading experiences. This all stemmed from students watching me model independent, unprovoked and enjoyable independent reading. 

Unfortunately, many school-related tasks and responsibilities seem to have taken over, causing me to push my own independent reading to the side...leaving many books on the shelf to collect dust or using them as a paper weight on my desk. However, if I am able to reignite my own independent reading - taking time to read the things that I enjoy and sharing my reading experiences with my students, I am confident that my own actions will speak greater volumes than anything I can tell them about why they should read. 

It's time for me to get back in the books and in a public way for my students! Modelling is key! 

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