Chapter 13 Statements

Alex's Statements
"The danger of course, is denying students opportunities."
Denying students opportunities because of certain limitations is not fair to those students. Students with disabilities deserve the same opportunities that other students receive. They also need to be challenged and pushed through difficult work. It is not fair to take things away from them or not give them equal chances.

"Cultural diversity is a topic that is often sidestepped, but it cannot be if we are going to support all students becoming good readers in our classrooms."
I really liked this statement because I work with students with very diverse cultural backgrounds. If I look at their background and only see their limitations then I will struggle to empower them. Cultural diversity needs to be appreciated and valued in the classroom as well, not forgotten.

"The caution is that using a reading program without being thoughtful about each student may result in some students' not responding well to that model and falling behind."
Considering each student when selecting programs is key. It is impossible to find one program that every student will respond to in a positive way, however it is possible to create modifications to help meet each child's need. One style of teaching will not benefit every student.

Tyler's Statements

CH13

 "Engaging all students includes finding material that all students can get excited about reading. Some students are interested in reading in the little support from teachers to dive in. Other students, though, only carefully planned activities and materials to find reading exciting and enjoyable."

 1. As a child I did not particularly like reading. I didn't like reading because it wasn't something I could actually do. Everything you get out of reading happens in your head. As a teacher it is important to realize that not all children will love reading for this reason. We need to bring the text to life through activities.

 "Students must have access to reading materials at their own independent reading level, or they will not engage in remained engaged with the material."

 1. Sense it is very likely that our students will be on different levels as far as reading we need to have a variety of genres and reading levels in the classroom.

 "It is important that students read every day. They need to be reading material that is at Independent or instructional levels"

 1. Reading is not a skill that gets better unless it is actually used. It is our responsibility to get students excited about reading (possibly by offering rewards for enough AR points). If they cannot get excited about it, they will not do it.

Courtney's Statements

• "To read, a student must have three skills: an understanding of how the alphabet works, understanding that reading is about meaning, and fluency in reading."
• This is important to to remember because as a teacher I need to teach the different components of reading. I am a very accomplished reader so it is a good reminder to slow down and truly understand the different pieces of reading. 
• "'Good teaching requires that teachers build on their students' prior knowledge. Moreover, students learn best when they feel recognized and acknowledged for the aspects of their identity they deem important. When students feel that their identities are ignored, they often disengage from learning and adopt a stance of outsider among strangers."
• A good teacher looks at their students and figures out their strong points and what they have already learned. This is a great reminder to not ignore students strengths in pursuit of pure academic prowess. If a child is good at a sport or a hobby I need to figure out how to make my lesson relevant to them.
• "Students must have access to reading materials at their independent reading level, or they will not engage and remain engaged with the material." 
• Students need books and other reading material that is at their level in order for them to not lose confidence in their abilities. When they have material that is too far beyond their ability then they may regress as readers. However, when the students increase the hardness of reading material gradually then they will improve as readers. 

Jenna's Statements

1. "In each case,  your responsibility is to help students and your community value reading and literacy. "
1. If as a teacher I can teach my students to value reading, then they will be more successful in the long run than just teaching them how to read. If I value something then I am going to put more time into it, likewise I believe students are the same way when learning. 
2. "Your job as a tteacher is to make the assumption that will do the least damage if you are wrong."
1. This quote came from the paragraph where it talks aabout a student who was deemed unable to read but when moved to a different school with a teacher who believed every student should be treated with the capability to learn, she thrived. It stood out to me because it is an example why it is important to remember and treat each  student with equal ability to learn. I would hate to be the teacher who restricts and damages a child because I dream him or her incapable. 
3. "Reducing the language load of new vocabulary for students with limited vocabularies is one strategy to support students learning English. A second strategy is to limit reading to a single area. "
1. I think these are good strategy that can be useful with ESL students. These sound simple, but I just need to keep them in mind when teaching. 

Tori's Statements

• "Engaging all students includes finding material that all students can get excited about."
• This is something that is very important to remember as a woman that loves literature. Not all my students are going to like what I like to read, and that is fine. I need to be challenged to touch on things throughout the year that are interesting to all of the students. That way, their interest for the material sparks a fire for interest in truly learning.
• "Students who speak a language other than English are a diverse group, but overall they do not do well in school."
• I am sure that it is very difficult to have a language barrier between a teacher and a student. This statement, in it's simplicity, is a challenge to not give up on those students. I have to remember that they are smart and will want to learn if they feel care and love from me.
• "All students have the capacity to learn."
• How simple this quote may seem, but how complex some educators make it. Due to behavior, disability, etc, I have seen so many forget this statement when it comes to students that do not always get it, or want to get it, the first time around. I am challenged to remember this daily and to never give up on a student in reading, or in any subject!