Overview
- Chapter 1 Objectives After reading this chapter, you should be able to:
1. Name and explain major learning theories including behaviorism, constructivism, sociolinguistics, and information processing theory.
2. Describe a balanced approach to literacy.
3. Describe an effective method of organizing a classroom for literacy instruction.
4. Explain the ways in which teachers implement basal reading programs, literature focus units, literature circles, and reading and writing workshop.
5. Describe the ways in which teachers use assessment to guide instruction. - Overview The goal of literacy instruction is to ensure that all students achieve their full literacy potential, and in that light, chapter one introduces eight principles of balanced literacy instruction. The principles are stated in terms of what effective teachers do, and they provide the foundation for the chapters that follow.
Principle 1: Effective teachers understand how students learn.
Principle 2: Effective teachers support students’ use of the cueing systems.
Principle 3: Effective teachers create a community of learners.
Principle 4: Effective teachers adopt a balanced approach to instruction.
Principle 5: Effective teachers scaffold students’ reading and writing.
Principle 6: Effective teachers organize for literacy instruction.
Principle 7: Effective teachers link instruction and assessment.
Principle 8: Effective teachers become partners with parents. - Session Preview For many pre-service teachers, this textbook and course serves as an introduction to the field of education and specifically to literacy instruction. It is therefore appropriate to reflect upon your own experiences in learning to read as well as your adult reading habits. Consider the following questions and be prepared to share with the class.
1. Do you remember your kindergarten and/or first grade classroom? Can you remember a moment when you first read to someone? Do you remember any difficulties you faced in learning to read? What were your favorite books as a child?
2. Do you have a library card that you use regularly? What is the best book you have read in the past few months? What is your favorite book?
3. Do you keep a journal? Do you write short stories or poems?
4. What does the term literacy mean to you? - How Effective Teachers Teach Reading and Writing 1. Teachers create a community of learners in their classrooms.
2. Teachers adopt the balanced approach to literacy instruction that reflects teacher-centered and student-centered learning theories.
3. Teachers scaffold students’ reading and writing and then gradually withdraw support as students become proficient.
4. Teachers organize for instruction using a variety of instructional programs.
5. Teachers link instruction and assessment.