Patience

I have chosen the word "Patience" for the year. This word is not only important for me but also for my students' regarding literacy. Our 8th grade language arts students recently finished a novel study as well as a reading benchmark test. All through their middle school careers strategies have been taught to help assist in purposeful reading. I often find that my students' tend to rush through a book or passage just to get it done quickly. When the time arrives to write, they are often lost and confused and unsure where to begin. Patience is a concept that I preach constantly in my classroom. I encourage my students' to annotate and take their time while reading. I often need to practice patience when teaching strategies. One strategy may not work for a certain class or student. One student may grasp a new strategy or concept quicker than others. I must remember to be patient with each and every student and remember just like this is my first time teaching the strategy it is the first time they are learning it.