Module 4: Activity 2

Which NRP topic area(s) or missing pillar(s) that Allington describes do you find to be most vital for children’s literacy success? Why?

Take a look at the NRP Report Summary:
http://www.nationalreadingpanel.org/Publications/summary.htm
and Allington's response:
http://www.hcd.hr/conference/key_allington_eng.pdf

In Allington's Five Missing Pillars of Scientific Reading Instruction, I feel that the five pillars: phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension are all essential components of reading instruction. I would implement all five pillars in my reading instruction in order for my students to be successful in reading. I feel that pillar two and four are the most vital. Although I feel these combinations are all vital to students' literacy success. I think that providing students with appropriate leveled texts is so important because that would boost the students' motivation to read. The students can focus on gaining meaning from the text rather than identifying all the words correctly. I think that when the students are not able to read fluently, it would interrupt getting the meaning of the text. I think that teaching the students the strategy of how to look for just right texts will give the students the power to select their own texts to read independently. That way the books are not always the teacher-selected books. Also, having classroom organization with a balanced whole class teaching with small group and side-by-side instruction is very vital because we have such diverse learners that learn in all different styles. Teachers can differentiate for small group and one-on-one instruction. Small group instruction will help to reinforce the same skills and allowing the students to practice the skills. Side-by-side instruction will benefit the struggling readers by providing personal attention to their specific needs.