Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Group 2 - Ashlee Kleber
I have a question about a student in my practicum class. He is in first grade and he does not read that well. During guided reading groups, he has trouble reading the words on the page. When the teacher asks him to read to himself, he gets this frightened look on his face and then looks around the room. When she calls him out on it, he becomes very defiant and refuses to do anything. He does the same thing when it comes to writing. I know that he can write, but there are times when he just refuses to write at all. He tells the teacher that she cannot make him write if he doesn't want to. What are some strategies that might motivate him to read and write? What should the teacher do when he flat out defies her? Does anyone have a similar situation that might be able to give some advice? Thanks!
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2 comments:
Hi Ashlee:
Has the student had his eyes checked? I was thinking maybe he's having trouble seeing the words?
If it's definitely not a physical handicap, then maybe the teacher could conference with his parents and ask them if he displays the same behavior at home, and see how they respond. The parents response could give the teacher some insight into the root cause of the behavior. For example, is the student being read to at home, is he encouraged to read at home? Are the parents willing to work with the teacher on this issue, or are they indifferent?
If the parents are willing to work with him at home, the teacher could come up with a fun homework plan that could be extended at home as well, such as journaling about his day everyday, etc. The more he practices, the more he hopefully will overcome his fear about it.
Ashlee,
There is a couple you may fix this problem. Of course maybe ask the students what kinds of books interest him. maybe take him to the library and help him pick out stories. Maybe bring some magazines that would interest him without causing any frustration in the student. Ask the student what kids of things he reads at home, maybe have him go on a scavenger hunt for things he reads at night, computer, different activites that he does at home, inform him that all invovles literacy. By having him identify different things he reads at home, it may help him undertsand why reading is important. I think there are different ways for a teacher to help a student learn to love to read, you just have to encourage through th right materials. Find out what he likes and bring it to read together. That is what I would try, good luck!
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