More Reading...

I am now reading a book by Steven L. Layne called "Igniting A Passion For Reading". I am approximately half way through this book and am completely enthralled in the reading! I definitely think this resource will be beneficial to my action research as it will help me to encourage and empower my students to become independent and lifelong readers. I was astounded that half of the American population do not read at all for pleasure! People learn how to read in school and don't use the skills after.

I went ahead and saved my Reading A-Z benchmark testing running records for my data collection/progress monitoring during the action research study. I plan on testing my students the first week of school to see which ones will be a part of the actual study data. My next step with my data will be to talk to my literacy facilitator to collect the DIBELS mid-year Oral Reading Fluency baseline data from previous years to have before I start my study beginning next school year.

I am also beginning to think of the time line of my study....oh, and I have to make up the permission slip for my students to be in my study next school year.

Professional Readings

I recently purchased the books "The Daily Five" and "The Cafe" as I found them on the scholastic website as two of the most popular and helpful profession readings for teachers this year. I was so excited to begin reading these resources in an attempt to delve into my questions for my action research! I read both books within 24 hours because they were such easy and engaging books for me. I feel like they added fuel to my fire for my action research in helping my students achieve fluency in reading. After reading both books, I am excited and energized to begin planning my action research and implementing these influential programs into my daily classroom beginning next school year. Although, I have thought about practicing this program this year to get any glitches out or revelations that I might have about how to manage these particular elements in a classroom. I was EXTRA excited about the thought that my students would be working independently for up to 30 minute increments more than once a day and I had never thought about gradually adding time on to their independent work to help them achieve and succeed independently. I was enlightened to find this program allows for so much one-on-one and small group time if needed, as well as time for assess students, which seems to be a never-ending process. Still wondering if I should try it before the year is up to be better prepared for obstacles I may face next year. :)