Module 1: Powerpoint

After viewing the PowerPoint, I found it to be very beneficial for me because I wasn't familiar with some of the important terms listed. It is very useful to have the knowledge of what they are. Also, I now have a better understanding of the important terms with the descriptions of what they are. I've saved this PowerPoint  for future reference. Additionally,  it was helpful to have all the stages of reading development broken down with explanation of each stage.

I am familiar with RTI and would like to learn more about the process of RTI. Since I am not a classroom teacher, I have not had the chance to be involved in the process. I have sat in on a few RTI meetings at my school for some of my ESOL students. That brings me to consider more on the next topic on the PowerPoint on ELLs as struggling readers. I really like that it said it is important to know if the student struggled with literacy in their native language. I highly agree with this because I would consider many other factors before retaining the students in the same grade level because they struggle with reading. I would have someone to assess the students in their home language to be able to determine their area of weaknesses. It will help to know if the student also struggles with reading in their native language.

From my reading class in the summer semester I have gained a better understanding of the differences between a bottom up approach and a top down approach. This year I will implement the top down approach with reading instruction. I teach students phonics skills more in context rather in isolation. I know this top down approach will show an increase in students' learning.

Module 1: Watch & Learn: Assessing Reading Skills

This short video clip shows a teacher assessing a 10 year old student on her reading skills.  I think this video does a great job highlighting the most important part of reading instruction is assessing the students frequently to drive our  instruction. I believe that assessing the students can help us compile the data to see what the student is struggling with. Therefore, we can teach the reading strategy that will help the students tackle the  specific skill the student is struggling with. In the video, the teacher explains that the student is struggling with decoding the text, which hinder her comprehension skill. The teacher is unable to retell the story because she lacks fluency while reading the text. I think that the word list should be taught in context to help the students gain meaning to the words so that he/ she will be able to retain the word and its meaning. Recognizing and understanding the word meaning would help with gaining meaning of the text.