Observing and Interacting With Program Director(s) and Other Administrative Staff in You Setting

Observing and Interacting with Program Director and other Administrative Staff in your Setting

     I went to visit Betton Hills Preparatory School, and observe host first grade teacher Ms. Kerri Lawson.  My interview was with Administrative Staff member Mrs. Linda Murray.  I had to wait to interview her, because she very busy with greeting parents and children, assisting parents, answering phones, and checking on the teachers.  Mrs. Murray has a very busy morning even though she is just an Administrative Staff member.  Mrs Murray has multiple title, and task of the school that she performs besides sitting at the front desk. Once everything finally settled down she came to Ms. Lawson’s classroom to get me.  These are following questions I asked Ms. Murray concerning my topic on literacy development.

1.  What are you putting into place with those students having a difficult time with reading?

Mrs. Murray told me that her and teachers are doing everything possible to develop their students’ reading skills.  The teachers do warm line assessments to see what the children are when come their reading level.  The Early Learning Coalition comes in provides services to the school as far assessments, and referring parents to other agencies for assistance.  The teachers offer additional tutoring for students that need it.  Mrs. Murray says if a student is already assigned a speech therapist they will come by the school and meet with that particular child.  

2. What can I do to promote Literacy in the classroom?

The school has many different reading programs that involved the children.  She says children like to compete with each other, and it encourages them to read. The children can also win all sorts of awards, prizes reading so many books.  The school has done a READ A Tel-ton and DEAR ( Drop Everything and Run) the school is donated books depending on the number read.  

3.  Why are kids having such a difficult time with reading now?

Mrs. Murray thinks kids are having a difficult time reading due to all the new technology being introduced to them.  Children have cell phones, televisions, games, tablets, computers, and laptops.  Students do not have to read a book, and newspaper to find out what is going on in the world around them.  Students do not have to read the information now they can be told about it through the news.  Students have someone else reading everything for them without worrying about recognizing or understanding what they read.     

4. What is the state doing to develop literacy in the classroom?

Mrs. Murray says the states are changing standards, and making teachers more accountable in the classroom. The states are also requiring that teachers integrate many subject areas together in challenging, and developing their reading skills.  Teachers are required to incorporate more literacy into the curriculum

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5. What I am doing to promote literacy in the classroom?

I am promoting literacy by letting parent know how important reading to their children at home.  I am reading books to students, and asking them questions about the book.  I allow students to read stories to me, and I ask them questions about the story.  The students visit the listening center to go listen books being read to them.  Students are pulled out of whole groups, and work with an Instructional Paraprofessionals.  

 

6.  What I learned about literacy development is that as Early Childhood Educators share the same concerns when comes to young children need to be introduced a variety of reading material.  I can find many resources on internet, books, and asked my colleagues about ideas in trying to make reading fun for children.  When learning is fun for children they are more likely want to be involved in the activity.  Teachers can use multiple things to introduce literacy like music& movement, art, drama, and small group activities.  On a nice warm day the teacher can do an outside activity with the students.  For example, The teacher can set up a table with books, so students can sit outside  underneath the patio.
7. Two insights, experience or quotes that I will share in my blog this week.

Literacy development is very important for young children in learning how to read. The students must be provided with enormous amount resources in developing these skills.  As Early Childhood Educators, we share the same concern when comes to caring about our students learning.  Assessments are important in seeing  if students are above or below reading level.