BLOG POST 10 (Module 5 Reading Week): Bringing Reading to LIFE!

 



At the beginning of the course, I decided to embark on a self-reflective and inquiry-based journey, with a view of trying to answer the question: 

How can I modify my (physical and remote) instruction to increase my students' motivation and interest to study fiction and non-fiction texts - even beyond the walls of the classroom? 

Up to this point, my blogging journey has led me to the following culminating reflections/next steps to practical application in my professional context: 

  1. It's important to be transparent about my own experience with reading, as a young child and adult. 

  2. Being more creative when facilitating/promoting reading (e.g. book clubs, read aloud etc.) is a crucial part of making the experience relevant and interesting for students.

  3. Modifying my own teaching and instructional approach to reading - move towards embracing one that is student-centered. 

  4. Time to start unpacking the historical and philosophical influences which determine the selection of recommended texts and the way that we structure group and independent reading (it’s okay to read non-literary texts just for pleasure). 

  5. Reading doesn’t have to be accompanied by an assignment. Definitely going to break the ‘work’ association/correlation with reading. 

  6. It's important to model independent reading - share my personal reading experiences with my students. 

  7. If the curriculum only prescribes certain 'types' of texts, I need to do what I can to integrate and promote a diverse array of cultural texts. Inclusion is KEY!

  8. Finally, provide opportunities to integrate and explore technological mediums and platforms to enhance the reading process for students.

Ultimately, I have come to understand that in order to increase my students' motivation and interest in independent reading (and reading in general), I need to be more innovative and creative with my approach to 'teaching' reading - which will, in turn, make their learning experience one that is self-driven, relevant and enjoyable!

If I/we want students to read more (independently or otherwise), we have to be intentional in our efforts to bring the texts to LIFE!

I'm looking forward to integrating my reflections into my classroom and instruction, and I'm always excited about the possibilities that await!

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