Organizing for Literacy

"Every child deserves excellent reading teachers because teachers make a difference in children's reading achievement and motivation to read." - International Reading Association

Excellent teachers are important to students everywhere in the world. Reading may be considered a basic task, but reading instruction is often overlooked. The complexity and details that must be focused on create a challenging, but rewarding job for all teachers instructing reading.

    1. They understand reading and writing development, and believe all children can learn to read and write.
It is so important for teachers to students and teachers to recognize that everyone has the ability to read. It would be very negatively impacting for a child to think of themselves as a "bad reader", because reading is used in all subjects of school and all around in everyday life. Reading is often looked at by students as a chore, and it is important for teachers to try to put this idea to rest and show their students that reading is fun and so important.
    2. They continually assess children's individual progress and relate instruction to children's previous experiences.
In order for children to understand unfamiliar text, it is especially effective to make connections to their personal lives. When students hear something that they have interest or previous knowledge in, new information is much easier to learn.
    3. They know a variety of ways to teach reading, when to use each method, and how to combine the methods into an effective instructional program.
    4. They offer a variety of materials and texts for children to read.
One of the most challenging aspects of reading instruction, is that every child progresses at their own pace. It is imperative for teachers to focus on each child as an individual so that they are not being pushed to fast or kept lagging behind. There are several techniques in reading instruction and different forms can be used for various types of students and readers.
    5. They use flexible grouping strategies to tailor instruction to individual students.
Similarly to above, it is important to gear the reading instruction to the particular students you are working with. Grouping strategies are very successful techniques for group of students who are learning and progressive at a similar rate. These students can progress together and ask each other about their learning processes as they go, giving them something to relate to.
    6. They are good reading "coaches" (that is, they provide helpful strategy).
The best reading teachers are supportive, patient and flexible in their teaching strategies. It is essential for teachers to be able to recognize the different leveled readers, and to push them appropriately, not too fast but not too slow. The best reading teachers know a good balance and serve as a positive and helpful position in the students process of learning to read.

It is important to make reading enjoyable and useful for students. For early readers, it is especially essential to give them a positive outlook on reading, and not become frustrated or disappointed in themselves. A good reading teacher will provide their classroom with appropriate resources and different strategies and techniques for teaching reading.