Using Reading Programs Effectively

       Reading Programs are something I have definitely learned a lot about this semester. To be quite honest, I am not a fan of them. I understand that the intentions behind reading programs, such as Reading Street, are good, but it does not work as planned. I am sad to say that I have seen that it almost makes the teacher appear useless.  I feel like for any reading program to be effective, the teacher must take control and add in additional activities to enhance the students learning of the material. The problem that I have seen with that, is that there is not enough time to really add in supplemental activities.

            My reading teacher this semester in my elementary school was wonderful. She used the reading program as effectively as she could. She used small supplemental activities during reading groups, but there is only so much you can do with so little time. I spoke to her about her feelings about the program. She believes the structure is good, but she would absolutely love to be able to do novel studies and use the novels for the spelling and vocabulary words, as well as teaching the necessary skills and concepts about reading.

            I completely agree with my teacher about doing novel studies. I was home schooled in elementary school and my mom taught me reading through novel studies. I became a very passionate and fluent reader and still love to read today. I feel this would be much more interesting to the kids and capture their attention better than some of the reading programs I have seen.

            I know that as a teacher, I will have to follow the programs set forth by the school, and I will definitely do that, but I will use additional activities to enhance the students learning.  I will incorporate as many other things as possible to try to grab the kids’ attention and keep it focused on reading. I have a strong love for reading and I hope to impart that to my future students!