Learning about Reading

After reading the three articles I was able to relate to one of them, which was Silincing Teachers in an Era of Scripted Reading because that is the reality of some large urban districts. I felt that this teacher had such a passion for teaching literacy to students and was deprived of using that knowledge and implementing it after Open Court was implemented. Many times I notice in large districts that there is always a lookout for a quick fix. If a program shows to be effective in one area, it does not mean that it will be effective in all areas. Many times the state tries to use state scores and district scores to judge a school, but there are factors that are not taken into consideration. For example, in more affluent districts there are opportunities to try new things because students are making benchmark, however instead of really focusing on teaching the children and preparing them for life, large urban districts have to focus on teaching to the test. The same opportunities are not afforded in both areas. Usually a school goes into the CAPA process after they do not meet bechmark for a few years. Instead of there being more opportunities for these students, it is always a threat of the money they will lose if benchmark is not made.
Some key issues that bothered me were not being able to do what is best for children and being forced to follow a scripted program. I did enjoy the article on Art because it showed that one of the first forms of education children use is through art. They can illustrate what they see going on in their mind and tell a story from that. Beginning communication through art with many details will allow students to become better readers and writers. It was great to see how a program was done to show how students can communicate through art. The importance of reading and writing is to be able to communicate one's ideas and to be able to interpret, analyze and understand someone else's message. The article from Wikipedia really broke down all the aspects of readibg, which include more than just being able to read words.
I am mostly wondering about different skills and techniques i would be able to use with struggling readers and high achievers. Teaching to read and write with meaning is a challenge, but with different startegies and techniques it is possible.