Week 4 - Constructing Meaning

When we talked about constructing meaning last week it really hit home for me. I was definitely a sound-it-out type of reader. As long as I could sound out the word and get through it I though I was reading - until I came to college. Yes, it took me this long to realize that all I was doing was going through the motions of what I thought was reading even though I was not taking anything away from

books. Just looking at the words and saying them to myself as I read was what I did. I did not come away with any type of meaning whatsoever. Constructing meaning is more than just reading words and turning each page. I finally realized that I needed to pay attention to what I was reading. I know this blog is more of a personal reflection and not about the readings but I really felt that I needed to share this, and open up about the struggle I had reading. Since I have become more attentive while I read I have learned  to enjoy books now. So I ask myself this - what is a better way to teach our students to think about what they are reading? How should we as educators imply that our students do not need to read books just to take AR tests? We want them to think of reading as a skill they can both use and enjoy.