Wrap-Up
Re-watch the Challenge video below, then answer the reflection questions. The video is 1 minute and 32-seconds.
Transcript Meet Ms. Smith. She is a 23 year veteran Language Arts teacher and she teaches 8th grade at Washington Middle School. Meet Liz. She is a student in Ms. Smith’s 2nd period language arts class. She is outgoing, answers questions during class, and is very liked by her peers. Ms. Smith has noticed that although Liz participates during class discussions she is still failing the course. Liz likes to volunteer to read aloud in class. She struggles with unfamiliar words and her reading is slow and robotic. Liz is performing below average on tests, quizzes, and other written work. Ms. Smith has determined from looking at Liz’s work that she is not comprehending what she reads. Ms. Smith remembered what she learned from professional developments on comprehension. She has worked with Liz on how to find main idea, making inferences, and vocabulary strategies. None of these interventions have worked to help Liz improve her grades. Both Ms. Smith and Liz are beginning to feel frustrated, inadequate, and helpless. What advice would you give to Ms. Smith to help Liz?
Throughout this professional learning module about foundational reading skills, you have received a lot of information about how to identify and help struggling readers. You learned about the research behind evidence-based reading instruction. You watched as an educator demonstrated how to use different assessments to identify skill deficits in phonological awareness, phonics, and fluency. Finally, you learned about how to intervene with students in three foundational areas using information gathered from skills assessments.
​
First, revisit the feedback you gave to Ms. Smith after watching the Challenge video. You can find this feedback in your Guided Notes. You will answer each of these questions again in your Guided Notes. How would you advise Ms. Smith now? Type your feedback to Ms. Smith in the Guided Notes.
-
What advice would you give to Ms. Smith to help Liz?
-
How do the perspectives of the teacher and the student impact learning?
​
Second, consider the Initial Thoughts questions you answered at the beginning of this PLM. You can find your responses to these questions in your Guided Notes. You will answer each of these questions again in your Guided Notes. How have your answers changed with your new knowledge? Type your reflection in the Guided Notes.
-
What challenges have you faced while working with students similar to Liz?
-
How would you assess a struggling reader?
-
What basic skills do students who have difficulty reading lack?
-
What strategies work best with struggling readers?
This page introduced the wrap-up and reflection for this learning module. The research available goes well beyond what has been given to you during this PLM. If you would like to learn more about the research behind the practice, we have provided material for further study for you to explore. The materials for further study are not all-encompassing but will give you a deeper look into the science behind reading. You can access these resources by clicking on the link in this paragraph or by clicking the additional resources tab at the top of any page on this site.
​
Once you have reflected on all the questions listed above in your Guided Notes, click the "Next" button at the bottom of the page to continue to the following page: Assessment. This next page will allow you to showcase what you have learned throughout this professional learning module.