Reading Practice Intensive Day 3: Text Selection

 Today's session was very informative. We talked how we are grouping our learners (either heterogenous or homogenous), and about the types of texts that we are selecting for our learners. 

The first thing that had me thinking was how I could group my learners. Do I go the heterogenous (mixed ability) route? Or do I go the homogenous (levelled grouping) route? It all depends on how I am looking at data and next steps. I can maybe think about catering to interests more or even gaps, which could take me the heterogenous way. Or I can look at my learners levelled groups and think about what their needs are, taking me the homogenous way.

The next thing that had me thinking was my text selection for my learners. Was I choosing a range of texts for my learners? What did it look like when I actually put it all together about what texts were chosen? I noticed I chose a lot of fiction texts, and as much as I used a couple of non-fiction texts, there wasn't much of a range. I think what I need to do is use more of a range like poems, novels, plays, etc. I can also put these texts into a text selection and help learners to compare texts, information and use knowledge across texts. This is definitely something I will be more intentional about when planning ahead for reading groups.

Something I found interesting from this session was the idea of 'Windows, Mirrors and Sliding Glass Doors' (accredited with the original concept from Rudine Sims Bishop). For me it was interesting because it is so important that our learners have access to a wide variety of texts. The windows aspect, being exposed to ideas in the world. The mirrors aspect, having texts where our learners are being reflected - which is something I have worked hard to do this term. It's important that we give our learners access to these types of texts because it gives our learners a sense of what the world looks like.

I am looking forward to seeing what my planning and practice will look like with this new knowledge and information in mind.

*images are from the RPI Manaiakalani Slides