Tovani Chapter 1
For these next few weeks I will be discussing Tovani’s
(2003) book Do I Really Have to Teach
Reading. The book thus far has been
a pretty easy and interesting read because the author utilizes personal
accounts and stories focused on specific topics pertaining to teaching reading.
Tovani’s use of struggles that teachers face regarding reading are so on point
and relative to what we face everyday as teachers.
For this first post I will discuss the first chapter from
Tovani’s book, which is primarily focused an experience she had while a teacher
in another state. While participating in the training about science she made
the classic statement “when am I going to use this” while reading about
viruses. This is as statement that many of us are familiar with and have heard
numerous times as teachers. However, this leads to Tovani discussing how the
teacher can avoid making this mistake again in the future as well as making the
students aware of the need to get through the readings. She then discusses with
the teacher how the teacher should use more interesting articles that are out
there and do so utilizing some Tovani recommended strategies.
During her discussion of strategies Tovani states “I would
rather my students master a few core skills than be exposed to so many
strategies in a short period of time that they don’t master any of them (p. 5).
This is a quote that I resonated with because I believe that we are introduced
to so many different strategies regarding reading that sometimes it is just too
much and can actually cause more damage than good. I mean how many of us have
read those books that give us a plethora of strategies to use with our students
but it just adds more and more work for our students and us. I like Tovani’s
mentality regarding this issue and how she feels that we should keep it simple
and basic. For instance, she discussed maybe utilizing some readings that
students may have interest in in conjunction with the class textbook. I have
done this with my students and they are always very responsive to this
strategy.
I too appreciate simplicity in skills and strategies! I get a bit overwhelmed thinking about reading an entire book on reading, or even thinking about taking this class, because I know it will give me more good strategies and ideas than I could ever remember to use. It reminds me of taking beginning martial arts classes, and the advice my instructors gave; you probably won't remember anything from this class if you're actually being attacked, so here's the bare minimum. I think of that I only remember that I should try to gouge out their eyes with my thumbs... My point is that very little of what we learn will make it to the classroom, and very little of what students learn will make it beyond our classrooms, so focusing on a few key skills is indeed important.
ReplyDeleteI agree that we need to have a few basic ideas to frame our instruction; that is what theory is good for. It can make a bunch of strategies hold together--like blogging and class discussion in the name of making meaning.
DeleteI agree with you! It seems like we try so hard to get students to soak in every bit of info presented to them. But who can do that? I know I can't, so we need to realize that. Keep it simple and focus on what they need to know!
DeleteInteresting that this does seem like kind of an old-fashioned or back-to-basics approach. There are so many strategies and methodologies out there in teacher education and sometimes, less really is more. That said, I wonder how much this book will discuss multiple literacies and ways of processing information for different learners, such as incorporating readings with a lot of visual information, or audio books. I realize you are just getting into the meat of this book, so I will look forward to what else happens!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I also look forward to seeing what happens in the future!
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