Final Exam

Name _Amber Kingery_____________ Date______6/11/14___

1. Demonstrate an understanding of reading as a thinking process

that involves “constructing meaning through the dynamic
interaction among the reader’s existing knowledge, the
information suggested by the written language, and the context
of the reading situation.” (Michigan definition of reading)

What is your definition of reading? Is it similar or dissimilar to Michigan’s

definition? What components were you sure to include? Make your thinking
visible for this question.

My personal definition of reading is the process of decoding the meaning of

words and stringing them together to understand the written words as a
sentence. I honestly do not understand the Michigan definition of meaning. The
meaning I have makes sense in my personal mind. The components I have been
sure to use is that reading is a process, and it takes knowledge to understand
that words put together create a sentence which translates into written
language. Reading is having this knowledge and being able to apply it to text.

2. Construct approaches to developmental reading instruction that

demonstrate the interactive connection between reading, writing,
listening, and speaking, with specific adaptations for dealing with
ELL students.
Which approach to reading instruction do you agree the most with? How does
this approach reach learners in an effective way? How does it incorporate
reading, writing, listening and speaking? How would you adapt your chosen
approach to meet the needs of all learners?

I favor the guided reading approach to reading instruction. Guided reading is

basically scaffolding. The teacher supplies whatever materials and assistance
needed to students. The books are based on the child interest and reading level,
and the lesson is differentiated. The child will be reading individually and with a
group while speaking and listening. This approach also develops social skill and
language in children.

3. Apply appropriate reading strategies to promote successful,

independent decoding and comprehension.
What are some strategies you can use to promote decoding without neglecting
comprehension? How can you ensure students are receiving enough
comprehension instruction?

There are different strategies to promote decoding without neglecting

comprehension such as reading/writing workshop, basal readers, literature
based groups, guided reading, and language-experience approach. Teachers can
ensure students are receiving enough comprehension instruction by checking
for understand and knowing your students. A strong knowledge base of each
child’s development will help gauge how much more or how much less
instruction and guided practice is needed.

4. Prepare teaching strategies for individual differences and learning

styles, diverse populations (including ELL learners), and
cooperative group work.

What are some common ways to meet the needs of the following diverse
learners? Address each learner specifically.
  Economically disadvantaged – provide resources, be understanding and
patient.
 ADD – provide focus tools such as feet rubber bands and bookmarks to
cover distractions on the page and manipulatives.
 English Language Learner – provide leveled materials. Learn to read first
in native language. Use visuals.
 Learning Disabled – provide leveled materials. Use visuals and gestures.
 Gifted and Talented – provide extensions and leveled materials.
 Speech and Language Impaired – provide ease of access materials. Sit
within ear shot. Patience.
 Slow Learner – provide leveled materials and visuals, manipulatives.

5. Construct an understanding of various textual features, current

teaching materials, and different purposes for reading.

Discuss some text features, materials you’ve seen in your field placements or that
we’ve made in class or that I’ve brought in, and share the different purposes for
reading.
Students understand best when they are able to see or manipulate. They also
need various types of practice. Provide more than one type of practice such as
guided reading groups or reading and writing activities and games. They also
have a strong need to collaborate with their peers by doing hands on projects
and partner reading.

6. Assemble a resource kit for reading and writing instruction.

Share how you chose the items you put in your resource folder. How will you use
this resource kit in the future?

The items I have chosen to put in my resource kit will help me in the future
when planning lessons, recalling information, and helping unique readers. This
binder has a variety of resources including lesson plans and the common core
standards. I have taken notes throughout the class of activities to help students
and keep them engaged that will be useful throughout my whole career.

7. Collect information regarding various technological applications

for reading and writing instruction.
What are some helpful technology resources to support elementary readers?
I have seen some great applications for the IPad and websites to foster reading and writing in
the classroom. My favorite websites for resources are Reading Rockets and Scholastic to look
up books and activities. I also love www.maggiesearthadventures.com 2-5th games, NEWS-O-
MATIC app. News for kids. 3rd & 4th, www.funbrain.com, Brain pop – app.

8. Formulate effective communication practices during student

instruction and in oral and written communications with students,
parents, and colleagues.
How will you encourage communication with students, parents and colleagues?
How will you reach reluctant students? What if a parent doesn’t respond? Do
you have to work together with your colleagues?

Communication with students: Communication with students will entail holding

conferences, meeting with them before or after school, e-mail, planners,
written reminders as well as verbal. I prefer to speak to a child and also give
written reminder or notices. Visuals help a child remember better.

Communication with parents: With parents, I will have a planner and a log to let
them know how their child is doing. I will hold meetings, compose e-mails, or
catch them at pick-up time. If a parent does not respond after using different
forms of communication, I will look to my colleagues and principle for advice
before acting on a decision.

Communication with colleagues: With colleagues, I will be flexible with

communication. Typically, I would prefer to speak to them before or after
school, but e-mails and google Docs work as well. I would hope to have
meetings and also conversations over lunch.

9. Demonstrate an understanding of effective strategies for teaching

literacy in the content areas.
What are some effective strategies for teaching literacy in the content areas?

10. Practice interpreting various types of assessment measures

including both formal and informal assessments and understand
appropriate uses of such assessments including appropriate
assessments for ELL students.

Share your understanding of assessments. What are formal and informal

assessments? What are formative and summative assessments? What are local
assessments? What is the number one thing I must do to ensure that an
assessment is an effective use of time?

Formal assessments are basically a standardized assessment to assess what the

students have learned. Informal assessments are the assessments that are
taken purely for the teacher’s classroom to provide better instruction to help
students succeed. A formative assessment is an assessment that is taken
informally to tell the teacher where the student is at the moment. A summative
assessment is a formal assessment taken at the end of a unit or lesson that will
tell the teacher what the student has learned. Local assessments are given
within a district to assess where the schools are at. It is typically a bench mark
test given. To ensure that an assessment is effective I, as an educator, need to
use assessments properly by constantly assessing and checking for
understanding. The assessments are must be written in the correct words and
used in the correct way to assess understanding. I then, will use the
assessments to guide instruction.

11. Demonstrate an understanding of the need to remain aware

of new developments in the field.

Why is this important?

The need to remain aware of new developments in the education field is crucial.
Technology is always updating and changing, and so are our children. There is
new trends in every field, education is no different. Educators should want to
provide the newest and greatest technique and technology out there to our
students in order to see them succeed.