The Reading Process

I have never thought about it before until I learned about it in class last week, but there are two ways to interpret reading. There is efferent and aesthetic reading. Efferent reading is when one reads for content only. And aesthetic reading is the way one reacts to what they read and form their own opinions and ideas about what he/she reads. Since I seem to lean towards the aesthetic side, it is hard for me to understand and comprehend efferent reading. I am trying to learn about it and comprehend it because I know in the future I will probably have students who will learn and read in that particular style.

The process of reading is so much more important than people realize. Students can't just jump into a book without having previous knowledge, more in depth knowledge, and post knowledge about what they are reading. And that is where I get to step in and teach them what they need to know!
--> The prereading stage consist of going through the book and looking at the pictures, the title and author, and even reading the back of the book. The teacher may also provide extra information on what they are reading, so they will have knowledge prior to what they are reading. This helps the student to understand what they are reading (or listening) to.
--> The reading stage is very straight forward. It is how the book is read. This could be by themselves or listening in a group as the teacher reads aloud.
--> The third stage is responding. This is when the students respond to the book. This could be alone, with a buddy, or even in a large group. It is to tell others (or themselves) how they felt about the book and the main ideas from the book.
--> Exploring is the fourth stage, which is when they reread the book (or at least part of the book) to explore deep thoughts about what the author was trying to express. This is important for students because it allows them to think in ways that they may not have ever been exposed to before.
--> Applyer is the last stage and this is where they use an activity to apply what they have learned from the book to their everyday life!

There are also four areas that need to be exposed for capable readers. This includes word identifications, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
-->Word Identifications are words that students should recognize automatically. These are words that they should site and know and should not have to sound them out.
--> Fluency depends on the reading speed, word recognition, and then expression in the voice of the student.
--> Vocabulary is extremely important because it is constantly being built. The best way to build ones vocabulary skills is by reading.
--> Comprehension is to use strategies before, during, and after reading in order to understand the text.

Lastly, there are different ways that students can participate in reading. These include reading and writing workshops, thematic units, and literature circles.

Woo, does this seem overwhelming to you, well it sure does to me. Reading is a huge thing that everyone has to have to function on a daily basis, but it is a lot of work that a teacher has to put in to making these students successful. But, that is what I am learning how to do and quit frankly I can't wait--> it will be rewarding to be just like it will be rewarding to them in the end!