I found the
two chapters most interesting. The style
of the authors writing is engaging and entertaining while imparting the
information. The authors made good
points about reading textbooks, and how hard it can be to understand the materials
when you do not activate the students’ prior knowledge. The examples of the cricket game and the
passage on Columbus were very good at illustrating this point. As I read these chapters, I found myself
looking forward to teaching students to be better readers in History.
Chapter one
introduces the topic with a story of the students of the authors who got a lot
out of having teachers who were able to help them get more from their reading assignments
then a traditional class. I also was
happy to see the authors printed out that they did understand that most classes
would not be like their High School’s unusual practices. The authors also give an example of how a
typical class might go, with the teacher and the students both getting frustrated
at this typical dynamic.
The second
chapter gave good examples of reading things that you do not understand and having
no frame of reference to activate your prior knowledge. This chapter gave a better in-depth
understanding of what the book will be about.
I am looking forward to further readings in this book and to learn how
to help my future students this invaluable skill.
Elizabeth, I think the way you zoned in on the idea that in order to get students to really understand and learn from their reading, activating prior knowledge, is crucial to teaching. As you mentioned, the cricket example given by the book is a good one, but I think we have all experienced this as students. To remember what it feels like reading something that, for all we know, feels like it's in a different language will make a difference in how we teach our students.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth,
ReplyDeleteI did the same thing as I was reading. I was thinking of the ways to teach students how to get the most out of reading History. Many textbooks can be very dry when telling the stories of the past so it is our job to help the students get the most out of it. It is going to be our job to teach them how to read history not just teach them history.
Elizabeth, I also enjoyed learning the importance of activating student’s prior knowledge on a subject before assigning reading. Like you, I thought the examples of Columbus and the cricket game were great examples to show us how frustrating it is to be confused while reading. Those passages reminded me of the times in high school when I was assigned textbook reading. I think this passage demonstrates to us the importance of teaching reading, rather than just assigning it.
ReplyDelete