I think you and Blevins make many good points in your blog post, especially if one is teaching kindergarten in a Tier 1 environment (especially the comment about using decodable text to teach science concepts!). I can tell you this, however: if one is teaching children who have struggled to conquer text, these children do not care to much if the text is a bit stilted if they can READ it independently after so many years of frustration...and using decodables doesn't last forever--or even that long. The goal is to decipher the code and apply what has been taught when reading authentic text--and I know you know that very well!! Thanks for the great summary of Blevins' book.
I agree with you wholeheartedly, Lori, as I have seen my struggling readers light up when they can read decodable text on their own. While many teachers turn to the science of reading to get answers on how to better serve they’re struggling students, I tend to focus on making sweeping changes in my tier 1 instruction that will better serve all students in their literacy journey. Many students will demand, in their own way, that texts makes sense. I think we will be seeing many more options in the near future and that is a good thing.
I think you and Blevins make many good points in your blog post, especially if one is teaching kindergarten in a Tier 1 environment (especially the comment about using decodable text to teach science concepts!). I can tell you this, however: if one is teaching children who have struggled to conquer text, these children do not care to much if the text is a bit stilted if they can READ it independently after so many years of frustration...and using decodables doesn't last forever--or even that long. The goal is to decipher the code and apply what has been taught when reading authentic text--and I know you know that very well!! Thanks for the great summary of Blevins' book.
I agree with you wholeheartedly, Lori, as I have seen my struggling readers light up when they can read decodable text on their own. While many teachers turn to the science of reading to get answers on how to better serve they’re struggling students, I tend to focus on making sweeping changes in my tier 1 instruction that will better serve all students in their literacy journey. Many students will demand, in their own way, that texts makes sense. I think we will be seeing many more options in the near future and that is a good thing.