Core+Beliefs

(Type in the box, hit return/enter and the box will expand - if this format does not work for you, please use the space below) Students at all age levels need to be immersed in literacy ~Reading (guided reading, shared reading, independent reading, read aloud), Writing (guided writing, shared writing, independent writing), Conversation (with peers, teachers) Boys and girls need to be exposed to purposeful direct instruction. They then need time to practice the literacy instruction/skill (whole class, small group, independent, etc.). I find it difficult to put my philosophy of literacy instruction into such specific words...My ultimate goal as an educator is to have every child love reading and writing. || Looking over my responses as compared to other people's, I guess I went a little further back in my core beliefs. I certainly agree with the core beliefs others have written about here. ||
 * What are your core beliefs about literacy teaching and learning (rationale)?**
 * Name || Core Beliefs ||
 * Kate || In no particular order or relevance - just my ramblings that I could jot down... Language Arts instruction focuses on 4 interconnecting, overarching concepts that operate together within a meaningful context for children: reading, writing, talking and listening. Reading, writing, talking and listening are message-getting, problem-solving processes. Children need to be immersed in literacy, have strategies modeled, and have time to practice in small groups and in independent settings on a daily basis in order to reach their full potential as readers and writers. Children must be able to tell stories orally before being expected to write them down. Phonemic Awareness and phonics instruction should be systematic, strategic, explicit and meaningful. Reading and writing strategies can be applied to all content areas. (To put your philosophy of literacy instruction into such finite words is more difficult that I expected :) ) I am going to come back to this..... ||
 * Angie || I believe the most effective literacy instruction occurs when children are immersed in authentic reading, writing, speaking and listening daily. Every child comes to us with different experiences and level of understandings of language. It is are responsibility to meet them where they are and take them to the next level. I believe that this can occur in a workshop model, where there is modeling of effective reading, writing, speaking and listening skills, focused direct instruction, guided groups, individual conferences, independent work time to explore and time to share with peers and teachers. I believe the students should be actively involved in setting goals and making choices about their literacy growth so they become problem solvers and truly learn how to use the skills they have be taught. My goal as language arts teacher is to build on my student strengths and help learn new skills so they can be become confident readers and writers. ||
 * Michele || I think literacy instruction needs to begin as early as possible (infancy, toddler). In a perfect world, every child (birth to kindergarten) should have access to literature (books to manipulate, read aloud, crayons/pencils to write with, etc.).
 * Michele || I think literacy instruction needs to begin as early as possible (infancy, toddler). In a perfect world, every child (birth to kindergarten) should have access to literature (books to manipulate, read aloud, crayons/pencils to write with, etc.).
 * Renee || * Literacy has 4 components: reading, writing, listening and speaking. These are interconnected.
 * I believe that students should read, write, speak and listen a little each day.
 * I believe in giving students time to do this! I believe there is never enough time in a 40 minute period and we make use of every minute with valuable and read experiences!!!
 * I believe students should write about what they read.
 * I believe students should talk about and listen to others talk about what they read.
 * I believe students should read and write for genuine reasons.
 * I believe in giving students time to explore different genres, guided by their own curiosity. We help direct them if they need help.
 * I believe language arts (literacy education) is the core to lifelong learning and all subjects lean on this basic foundation. If students don't have this basic foundation, it is impossible for them to achieve in other areas. ||
 * Shelley || In order to prevent my core beliefs from turning into a dissertation length post, I'm just going to focus on my beliefs as they pertain to what I do as a teacher in my 4th grade class.
 * I believe that reading, writing, listening, and speaking/expression are inextricably linked to one another, that they are skills and art that are attainable for all students, that they are necessary for individual satisfaction and fulfillment in life, as well as for the future of a democracy. As a teacher, I am obligated to each individual student, their family, and the community at large to meet each students' needs and provide them with opportunities for literacy growth because everyone has a stake in their success.
 * Literacy skills serve critical functions including (but certainly not limited to): finding pleasure and beauty in life, communicating deeper truths and important principles, answering questions, discovering and sharing new information/methods/ideas, solving problems, participating in community life, etc. In the classroom, I need to model, instruct, and give opportunities for practice for all of these literacy purposes in order to set students on the path toward independence.
 * Literacy & critical thinking skills need to be taught in a way that encourages students to push beyond the knowledge constraints of their teachers & parents, as the problems they will be confronted with in the future are unimaginable to us now. It is my job to give my students the skills and desire to advance their own knowledge and understanding. As a teacher, I believe that it is my responsibility to find a way to hook each student and engage them in their own learning, so as to empower them and give them the beginning of the tools they will need throughout their lives.
 * Literacy & critical thinking skills need to be taught in a way that encourages students to push beyond the knowledge constraints of their teachers & parents, as the problems they will be confronted with in the future are unimaginable to us now. It is my job to give my students the skills and desire to advance their own knowledge and understanding. As a teacher, I believe that it is my responsibility to find a way to hook each student and engage them in their own learning, so as to empower them and give them the beginning of the tools they will need throughout their lives.
 * Elizabeth || I am sure I will think of more ideas as soon as I post, so this is not meant to be an exhaustive statement. My number one belief is that we are teaching students to read and write so they will enjoy reading and writing throughout their lives, be able to read to learn more about the world, and able to write to effectively communicate their ideas with the world. To this end, literacy must be taught in authentic ways. Students must have access to all types of literature and be given much time throughout the day to enjoy literacy activities. Writing topics must be self-selected, and writing techniques need to be practiced everyday through writing workshop. Reading strategies (the "how-to" of reading, comprehension, fluency) and writing conventions must be practiced in context rather than isolated skill sets. High quality texts must be used in the classroom to model good writing. Teachers must be responsive to students' individual needs through conferencing (one on one, small group, and whole group mini-lessons). Struggling readers MUST be taught by the most highly qualified intervention specialists. ||
 * Elizabeth || I am sure I will think of more ideas as soon as I post, so this is not meant to be an exhaustive statement. My number one belief is that we are teaching students to read and write so they will enjoy reading and writing throughout their lives, be able to read to learn more about the world, and able to write to effectively communicate their ideas with the world. To this end, literacy must be taught in authentic ways. Students must have access to all types of literature and be given much time throughout the day to enjoy literacy activities. Writing topics must be self-selected, and writing techniques need to be practiced everyday through writing workshop. Reading strategies (the "how-to" of reading, comprehension, fluency) and writing conventions must be practiced in context rather than isolated skill sets. High quality texts must be used in the classroom to model good writing. Teachers must be responsive to students' individual needs through conferencing (one on one, small group, and whole group mini-lessons). Struggling readers MUST be taught by the most highly qualified intervention specialists. ||