"Just Right" Texts
This week we read chapter 4 from Tovani this week. It was about the transition of textbooks to different types of text that are more appropriate for those struggling readers that are not at grade level.
The materials are usually above their grade level, concepts are introduced too quickly, too many vocab words that they won't get a chance to use, and not much background knowledge on the topic. I want them to be engaged in the text and make sure they have the actual potential to understand. I love the word perseverance (weird I know), but I want to encourage them to persevere!
I want them to actually understand the concepts many events share. I want to give them accessible texts of many different reading levels. The texts will be based on their interests and what they already know. They need to practice with texts there are at a good difficulty level for them! Or they will get nothing out of it!
I also believe in alternative assignments. It really bothered me in the book when the teacher didn't want to give the student an alternate assignment. I love that they are called companion pieces. The plot points and themes are similar, but the texts are easier to understand which is so important for struggling readers!
I can't wait to have text sets for each unit of study in my classroom! They will gain a broad perspective and an in depth sense of subject matter. The texts will be different genres, lengths, and formats. Connecting each of the readings together whether they are poems or letters or articles will be a skill that they will use forever!
As a struggling reader even today I know how much I would have appreciated having accessible texts that could have helped me to practice my reading comprehension skills so I definitely support this teaching practice in schools today.