"We have as many different language learners in our classrooms as there are personalities within our classroom space. Our students bring so many rich language experiences and differing levels of understanding of schooled language that we need to build our teaching around difference as opposed to a standardized, one-size-fits all approach that we have adopted over the past decade." (Pahl, P. 6).
I find this quote to be very important for all teachers to remember in their classroom. Each child comes to the class with a different culture, mindset, and level of language understanding. I believe that it is very pertinent that we get to know the level of each student and use a variety of methods to reach each of those students. I think that it is important for the teacher to also work with the children in small groups as well as assess them individually. In small groups the students can also help each other out. I believe that as teachers, we need to embrace the differences that students have in learning and language and let each student use their strengths and then get help on their weaknesses through a variety of sources.
Question: How should a teacher work with a child that is extremely shy and refuses to read aloud to even show the teacher what level of literacy she or he is at?
This kind of shy child wants to participate, but is afraid to either because of some experience, or because they just feel that way naturally. A teacher should make the child feel comfortable by first doing a few icebreakers, then some group reading with 5 students where they all read aloud at the same time (make sure the shy child isn't just mouthing the words), and then do shared reading where each child reads a passage by themselves. Hopefully after this warm up, the shy child will be ready to read aloud for the teacher. It might help to do it in the classroom, but off in a corner so that the child feels comfortable with the teacher, but is not worried that the others are focusing on him or her. Make sure all of your students know from the beginning of class to never make fun of each other.
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