My Guiding Principles

I was recently inspired by Debbie Miller after reading her book, Reading with Meaning, to type up my guiding principles of classroom reading instruction into a list. These, in turn, will guide my instruction each day in my classroom.

1. Learning is Thinking. "The one who is doing the reading, writing, and talking is also the one who is doing the thinking and the one who is getting smarter!" (Miller, 12)

2. Students need to spend lots of time in literature in order for them to learn.

3. My thinking can be revised because I'm a lifelong learner.

4. Children need skills and strategies to actively engage with literature.

5. Know where I am going... having both a big picture in my head as well as a day-to-day plan will help my students to learn the targets of instruction.

6. Plans are adaptable. I need to maintain flexibility to help my students to learn what is relevant and most helpful to them in their current skill level.

7.  I believe in a gradual release of responsibility. This means, I teach, then guide, then allow for students to complete their work independently with lots of feedback.

8. I believe that in order to grow as a learner, both my students and myself, will need to engage in regular reflection.

9. Our classroom community is one of kindness and care.

10. I need to give intentional and specific feedback to my students to help them grow.

11. I use assessment for both myself to guide my planning as well as to show my students how to reflect their understanding.

12. This is not my classroom, it's ours.

13. We read because it is an amazing blessing to learn and grow. Ultimately my students will be able to read God's Word, and be effective followers of Jesus Christ.