Larson/Maier Reading Response

One of the things that really stood out to me in Larson/Maier’s text was the reading/writing groups.  This teacher used these types of groups very often and it is something I have personally experienced.  In almost every classroom I have volunteered in I have seen this strategy in progress.  I also experienced this strategy as a young child.  I think it is a great way to help children learn and they get more time with the teacher in a smaller group.  Also, if the teacher isn’t at their group they probably either help each other (because they talked about having different levels in the groups) or I have seen other adults helping in the classrooms and with these groups. 

I chose this photo to represent the classroom full of books.  I think every classroom should have lots of books and a large variety of books.  We want something to catch the child’s attention so they want to read and enjoy reading.  In the article it said that the teacher made books available to students through many different ways including, author and theme studies, read aloud, and guided readings.  She ran the class at a pace of 120 books per week! That’s a lot of books! I think it is great that she can implement this many books into her students learning.  Many of the classrooms I have been in do maybe one short book a week.  

I chose this picture because I really like how the teacher implemented writing into her classroom.  The children aren’t only reading books but also writing them! They even get to share them at a special ceremony!  I think this is a great way to let children show their creativity while also learning.  Also, they come up with ideas together as a class and put all the pieces together.  In the article it states, “she co-constructed a context in which she and her students were authors together, struggling over questions and problems authors struggle over.”  This quote is perfect in describing how this teacher ran her classroom.  It also lets the children know that if they struggle with something it’s okay and they aren’t alone.

This last picture really describes this teacher’s classroom.  She highly encouraged children’s creativity and made unique ways for children to express themselves.  I really enjoyed this article and reading about different ways this teacher is getting students involved with reading and writing.