The Master Reading Teacher designs and implements reading instruction that reflects state content and performance standards and addresses the varied learning needs of all students
Standard 3 establishes the goals for reading instruction for all students. These goals are identified by the State Board of Education which outlines expected student outcomes for content and performance in reading. The state standards provide a framework within which the MRT creates and carries out reading instruction that combines foundational knowledge about reading, ongoing assessment, and sound instructional design so that learning is optimized for each student in a diverse population.
Through reading and reflecting on Book Club 6, I discovered the advantages of flexible grouping and a social learning environment for promoting learning for all students, but particularly for students who might struggle with reading for whatever reason. I�ve always been perplexed and even skeptical about the dangers of lower performing students being able to �hide� among the higher performers. Reflecting on Book Club 2 led me to understand that ongoing assessment, evaluation and flexible grouping for different kinds of tasks help the attentive teacher avoid this danger. The second secret to success is various kinds of scaffolding so that each student is supported in his/her learning. I participated in a RTeacher discussion about how to assess performance fairly when students are working at different levels. I concluded that assessment of differentiated instruction must reflect growth relative to both self AND grade level standards. In reviewing an article about the experience of one brave teacher who set aside her task sequence chart and followed the needs/interests of her students through a class writing project, I learned that meaningful writing and reading will yield good performance when standardized testing time comes around and that student needs, not objectives should drive instruction.
Book Club 6 - Social Aspects of Learning
Book Club 2 - Assessment Informing Instruction
LSD - Learning 2 re: differentiated instruction
Article Review - One Teacher's Journey to Higher Standards
