How the study impacted my teaching:
As a result of implementing the inference making strategies, I am more precise with my guiding and framing questions to help students achieve the end goal of the unit. I am collaborating with other professionals in the building to make sure my guiding questions are easily understood and connect to topics in upper grade levels.
I am continuing to provide more choice in texts for what students read and including weekly articles to read. These help students keep current with the news and create an authentic connection to the world around them. As well, I am implementing formal reading and writing conferences to provided individual and differentiated instruction for each student. The literature circles helped me realize that if I let students independently work, more of them will flourish and become leaders within the classroom. Students enjoyed the autonomy provided by literature circles and then discussing the books with classmates.
The structures implemented for conversations will be continued and implemented regularly. I am removing myself from presenting as much material and allowing the students to lead, which provides them opportunities to grow and take ownership of their learning. They are able to make predictions and conclusions about the texts based on the guidance given through framing questions and discussing with classmates.
As a result of implementing the inference making strategies, I am more precise with my guiding and framing questions to help students achieve the end goal of the unit. I am collaborating with other professionals in the building to make sure my guiding questions are easily understood and connect to topics in upper grade levels.
I am continuing to provide more choice in texts for what students read and including weekly articles to read. These help students keep current with the news and create an authentic connection to the world around them. As well, I am implementing formal reading and writing conferences to provided individual and differentiated instruction for each student. The literature circles helped me realize that if I let students independently work, more of them will flourish and become leaders within the classroom. Students enjoyed the autonomy provided by literature circles and then discussing the books with classmates.
The structures implemented for conversations will be continued and implemented regularly. I am removing myself from presenting as much material and allowing the students to lead, which provides them opportunities to grow and take ownership of their learning. They are able to make predictions and conclusions about the texts based on the guidance given through framing questions and discussing with classmates.
What I would change about the study:
I would change to focus on one of the three strategies for the study. For example, I would like to consider how dialogic conversation impact students and create mores structures for students to discuss topics. If implemented throughout the course of a year, where conversations gradually become more independent, then students could develop their academic discussion skills and grow as leaders. I would like to increase the amount of student led discussion, which would require more pre-teaching and to be implemented gradually. I would also be interested to evaluate how reading a weekly news article influences students ability to analyze non-fiction articles, or how the options of choice influence students overall growth throughout the year. A more focused study would help me to evaluate how each of the strategies individually effected students, so that I can implement them more effectively for student growth. |
Future Impact for Teaching :
Providing choice utilizes culturally responsive practice. The more students are involved in their education; the more they gain from the learning. Also, providing authentic learning experiences allow for applicable learning. As well, the dialogic conversations help students to develop their conversation skills, such as making eye contact, adding to what other people say, and disagreeing respectfully. This ability is necessary in any job and will help the students grow as they continue in school and life. |
Implementation for Next Year:
Next year, I will begin the year including guiding and framing questions for each activity. As well, I will immediately implement a time each week to choose an article to analysis, so that I can implement reading and writing conferences. Julie Bell, professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, emphasized that providing choice for students is necessary to create an authentic and engaging experience. I will provide choice in reading, guiding questions, and projects to differentiate for students needs. Additionally, I will focus on creating academic conversations and add different skills throughout the year, so that they develop strong academic conversation abilities. |