Optiz Pg. 14 #4: Module 1

Use Table 1.1 “Summary of Proficient and Less Proficient Reading Behaviors” to observe a reader.  Highlight the characteristics you notice and provide an example of what you see.

 

Table1.1 shows various models of reading. Throughout Optiz’s text he defines the different areas and characteristics for proficient readers. It helps you look notice the behaviors of the proficient reader and the proficient reading behavior. I complete running records on the students' reading fluency and comprehension in order to determine their leveled reading group for the upcoming week. Their main focus is pronouncing the word correctly, which takes all of their time and energy and honestly leaving them with no opportunity to grasp the meaning of the word and the text. I feel that if a student must focus on every sound and every letter that they will be less likely to understand what they have read. If a student is fluent it can pull all of the things together and proficiently read.

This year I am working with many students on different levels. I have one who is a severely low reader. He is reading 34 words per minute. I am having to work with him every day and let him read to me every day. I feel that there is a lot of self-doubt and confidence. It’s scary to think that if this continues how far behind he will be. As he is reading is focused on the individual’s sounds and not the word itself. So not only is his fluency low, but his comprehension is low as well. I continue to do Diebls with him once a week, but I am thinking of increasing it to twice a week. Overall, this was very interesting to me because it helps me understand and know what to truly look for in a student.