Literacy Response Journal

Please consider these two prompts as you read. Choose one to write about but be ready to talk about both in class. You may stick closely to the topic or you may approach it in more general terms.

Templeton and Morris: What aspects of spelling instruction mentioned in this article do you see playing out in your placement? Pick one aspect to describe and discuss how it works with kids.

Reading Essentials Chapters 1, 2, 3: This section of the book is about the essential reading life. Pick a quote that strikes you as being important to your reading life as a teacher. Explain your choice and consider how it relates to your current teaching placement.


From the reading in Regie Routman's book Reading Essentials, there were quite a few quotes that I found very interesting. In particular, I especially enjoyed Routman's description that "I'm a magican of sorts. I guarantee by the end of this week every single one of you will be able to read. I'm a terrific reading teacher. I've never had a student I couldn't teach how to read. I promise you be Friday you will be able to read. I never make a promise I can't keep." (Routman, p. 14). This quote resonated with me because it showed how creative thinking, enabled Routman to begin the process of teaching children (who did not believe they could) how to read. Routman's description is so imaginative, clever, and effective because she encourages confidence of the students in themselves and in her as a reading teacher. As well, she also creates the bond to all students with high expectations for success.

In Routman's example, I have learned the importance of how a teacher's enthusiasm or belief in the students can influence children in learning how to read. In the classrooms, I have seen many examples of this model demonstrated throughout the school day. To start off with, reading is incorporated into the morning routine of tasks that that students are to do once they enter the classroom. During writing lessons, references are made to reading books related to the topic of the story or event the students are writing about. In spelling, students are encouraged to do there best spelling and can also check for words on the word list charts. Also, in science, students learn to think about books or shows they have learned about related to science and share this with the rest of the class. Throughout the day, there are also several times for read alouds, where the students can hear and see the teacher read with enthusiasm. This model of teaching, demonstrates to me that reading is not an isolated subject, but is and can be intertwined into the daily classroom learning environment.