Literacy Development Through Children's Literature
Many people stress the need of children being good readers, however as teachers we do not want just 'good readers' we want to make our students reading advocates encouraging others to read and finding new ways to love it.
InTASC Standard #3
The teacher works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self motivation (InTASC, 2013).
Description
My fall semester of 2017 in my Literacy Development and Children's Literature class we had the chance to be our own teachers and create our own assignments built around children's literature. I decided to make one of these assignments a simulation of my future classroom's reading corner.
Artifact
I designed my literacy corner in this format because I believe that it incorporates an inclusive learning environment but can also foster individual growth. From left to right I choose to include the flower beanbag with the book display in front of it so students could explore the selection together. In this layout, they would be able to go to the flower pillow and all sit around it on the petals and possibly take turns on the middle petal reading aloud. Next, to the flower, there are two couches for the same inclusive reading experience if the students would like. I decided to also include bookshelves and a single pillow for students how to want to focus on solo reading skills but still be near students to provide help. On the other end of the corner, there is also another bookrack with another smaller pillow that is more distant from the other furniture for students that may be easily distracted or prefer more isolated learning.
Although my literacy corner does not reflect the true colors and materials that I would like to have in my classroom one day, I decided to draw inspiration from other teachers. I found several Instagram accounts that I really enjoyed, these are the corners that I would really like to try to duplicate. I think that most of the teachers for the Instagrams picked their reading corners to match a theme of their classroom and I think I would do something similar, possibly based around the ocean because there is so much we could still learn about the ocean.
Analysis of what I learned
Throughout the development of my literacy corner, I have developed the understanding of what a positive reading environment can provide. If a student feels comfortable in a space that also encourages growth then they feel more likely to try new things because the fear of making mistakes is gone. That is why in my corner I plan to have different books at all skill levels, this way students can master content and then continue to challenge their self. The types of books that will be in my corner will be based on all lifestyles that my students may possibly be involved in. The aspect that I struggled with in my corner was finding a way to motivate students with reading. I did not want to make a contest with who read mostly because it might not be strong reading. So, I will develop a form of assessment where I listen to students read at their level and then if it is a smooth read then they will be able to advance to the next level and will be rewarded with sitting in a special spot in the corner. Although I am not yet sure of my classroom layout I have an idea of what a successful corner looks like through my pictures and layout plan.
Demonstration of my competence
This artifact demonstrates my competence in standard number three because I created a space where students have the opportunity to work on reading skills together on the couches that creates a collaborative space. Within the corner, I also have space where students are able to read alone if they need a more isolated place to concentrate. My reading assessment form also encourages self-motivation and active engagement in reading by wanting to achieve to the next level. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs connects to this artifact because students are able to build friendships in the corner's positive environment, the build confidence and achievement through reading, and can use problem solving skills through built knowledge.
