First-Time Classroom Reading…..help!!

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Reading Teachers Chatboard

First-Time Classroom Reading.....help!!

by Jeff

Mar 1, 2011

Hey everyone! I am a Spanish teacher and I am going to be experimenting with reading literature in English and Spanish with my classes. This is new for me. I have not taught using much literature before. I could really use some help from more experienced teachers who have taught reading before. Hey all, I am strongly considering reading literature, some in English, some in Spanish, to help teach and reinforce culture and other things.

I guess my concerns are more with class management. I don't know how I could keep my class focused and listening as we read an entire chapter together. I know there are many teachers that can do it and do it well. They are strict and highly structured. I'm not used to being super-strict like some teachers need to be. My casual atmosphere works really well in my classes....but would it work well with reading literature together?

If you have thoughts, I would really appreciate it!!!!!

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Luria Learning Jeff,

I would give the students an activity to do while they are listening. The activity might be that they draw a sketch after each page of the main idea, that they answer questions (in English or Spanish) using sentence frames or something else to keep them engaged while listening. Also, be sure you are clear about your expectations whe...See More

Mar 3, 2011

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Sara On 3/03/11, Luria Learning wrote:

Keeping the class together while they - or you? - read aloud is not going to work-sadly. At least I don't think so based on my experience and here's why. Kids and adults alike will sit and listen when what they're listening to is compelling. Think of your favorite standup comic and then imagine going to s...See MoreOn 3/03/11, Luria Learning wrote:

Keeping the class together while they - or you? - read aloud is not going to work-sadly. At least I don't think so based on my experience and here's why. Kids and adults alike will sit and listen when what they're listening to is compelling. Think of your favorite standup comic and then imagine going to sleep while he/she's performing? Think of your favorite music or your favorite group and imagine drifting off or getting bored while they play. Doesn't happen. Are you a very good and very expressive aloud reader? Few people are these days. If you are, you might be able to hold class attention for a while - probably not the length of a chapter. Why are you considering this? To use up class time? I'd suggest this - (and why are you using English in a Spanish class room?) get hold of some recorded stories in either English or Spanish read by professional readers. [link removed].

You can force kids to sit still and be quiet but you can't force their brains to learn or get anything from the reading. A sign that a classroom exercise isn't working for the class or their brains is when the class starts to largely fall to restless inattention.

The only other thing I'd offer is that as an older teacher who put two children through school and has been a parent too - I'd really wonder about having them read or listen to English short stories in a Spanish classroom. Few parents are going to be able to understand why you're doing that and it can seem a desperate things to parents like "This teacher doesn't know how to teach so he's resorting to having them read outloud and in English yet." If you use English short stories, make sure they're written by Cisneros or some writer who also speaks Spanish and writes to related topics.

Do you know youtube? Youtube is a great source of classroom lessons and exercises - in Spanish too. Some great teachers put their stuff on youtube. Your kids can watch the lesson and/or you can steal the good teaching stuff you can find on youtube. Punch in broad topics like 'teaching Spanish' or smaller topics like 'teaching the ar verbs.' Good luck. > Jeff, > > I would give the students an activity to do while they are > listening. The activity might be that they draw a sketch after > each page of the main idea, that they answer questions (in > English or Spanish) using sentence frames or something else to > keep them engaged while listening. Also, be sure you are clear > about your expectations when you are reading. Make sure the > students are clear about what sort of talking is or is not ok. > Briefly review the expectations, or have a student review them > for the class each day before you start. It only takes 30 > seconds, and 80% of the class will follow them if they are > clear. > > Good luck, Sacha [link removed]!!!!!

Mar 8, 2011

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Jeff Thanks for your thoughtful response. Your advice is certainly appreciated. You ask why I would read English in a Spanish classroom. The only reason I am debating it is because part of my job is to also teach culture. An excellent way to really learn about a people that you are unfamiliar with is through stories. However, this would mostly only be d...See More

Mar 9, 2011

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Sara On 3/09/11, Jeff wrote:

So you're reading stories about Hispanic culture in English? Like Cisneros? That would make sense. But why do you want to shift the reading from group reading and independent reading to a whole class reading? And as that's working not only well but really well as you say - why change it all?

And you are c...See More

Mar 11, 2011

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Jeff Thanks Sara,

Well, I am just thinking of trying things differently a little bit next year. I do that from time to time. I was wondering if there was a dynamic way to conduct a class-reading. But, if it is way too difficult (and I don't have an entertaining reading voice, really) then I will not change that aspect of my lessons.

Th...See MoreThanks Sara,

Well, I am just thinking of trying things differently a little bit next year. I do that from time to time. I was wondering if there was a dynamic way to conduct a class-reading. But, if it is way too difficult (and I don't have an entertaining reading voice, really) then I will not change that aspect of my lessons.

Thanks for your input!

-Jeff

On 3/11/11, Sara wrote: > On 3/09/11, Jeff wrote: > > So you're reading stories about Hispanic culture in English? Like > Cisneros? That would make sense. > But why do you want to shift the reading from group reading and > independent reading to a whole class reading? And as that's working > not only well but really well as you say - why change it all? > > And you are captivating your class with literature- they are reading > literature and it's working really well. What you want to do is switch > to aloud whole class reading and no, I don't think you can captive a > class with aloud whole class reading for very long unless you know > someone who can read aloud in a very captivating way. > > But having taught for many years both literature and language maybe I > could brainstorm some idea - I did suggest get hold of the tapes where > professional actors do the reading - whether they have the stories you > want to use is another matter - or post the names of the stories you > want and maybe someone can tell you a source for the tapes. I'll try > to do an Internet search for you. > > But why do you want to change up what you're doing when they're > already doing really well with this independently and in groups? > >> been actually doing this for about 6 weeks and it has worked really >> well so far. Except, the students have been reading independently >> and in groups. I am trying to figure out how to read as a whole >> class. Maybe there really is not a way to do it where the students >> would be able to maintain interest. >> >> I will carry on as I am, then, if there are no real ways to >> captivate a class as a whole with literature. >> >> >>

Mar 11, 2011

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