Reflection

Reading is a difficult subject for most children. In fourth grade we are tested in the area of reading and it is a major focus of reform going into the next school year. The research I have read stresses organization and discussion. It seems like both studies aided children with average reading abilities in improving comprehension and problem solving in reading class. What still lies here is how do we help our struggling readers? Both studies implied that struggling readers still needed assistance from the classroom teacher while self-questioning or story webbing.

I would like to try the self-directed questioning techniques in my classroom this fall. I feel like it is a great way to model problem solving. Even struggling readers could use this as a guide to reading comprehension. I could type these self-directed questions on a laminated handout kept in the students’ portfolios. We can then refer to it during reading instruction.

Reading resource books are also important ways to develop good problem solving skills. For example, I will ask my students this question: In which book can I find the 2005 population of China? While an encyclopedia, almanac, dictionary, atlas, and thesaurus are displayed on the front table, I invite students to investigate and solve this problem. We turn it into a scavenger hunt. These sources are frequently referred to during reading and spelling activities.

This site below has helpful reading resources for problem solving.
PBS Teachers