In Defense of Round Robin Reading

It seems that Round Robin Reading has become a favorite target for many educators who are intent on making fundamental changes to the way students are taught in school.  As most of you know, RRR is an activity in which one student reads aloud while the others in the class or small group listen and read along silently.  A quick Google search of RRR will reveal a strong bias that has only recently developed against a popular practice which has been around for at least two centuries if not more.  Do you think the ancient Egyptians and Chinese scholars practiced a form of RRR thousands of years ago?  If you were to read any of the online articles, you would be told that there is no research that supports the use of RRR and therefore it should be disregarded as a useful reading activity.   The vast majority of these authors seem to believe that it not only does nothing to improve reading fluency and comprehension, but may also have a deleterious effect on children's delicate self-esteem as they nervously await their turn to read.  Their mantra is that it must be abolished as soon as possible for the sake of children!

In sharp contrast, I would argue that the popular practice of taking turns to read aloud in class, if done properly, can actually benefit students in several ways.  Firstly, students must learn to assume personal responsibility for participating in the group activity; it doesn't work unless everyone is will to cooperate.  Secondly, students need to learn that it is OK to make mistakes in public.  Teasing, giggling or laughing by other students in response to reading errors should not be tolerated.  Instead, children should be taught to be patient, compassionate and understanding of others who may not be as proficient as themselves.  These are virtuous character traits that are often sorely lacking in many of today's youths.  Thirdly, RRR can actually be a rewarding experience for students who have mastered their reading lessons.

Effective teachers can use RRR as a fun activity that the entire class can enjoy to celebrate their success in learning to read.  Like many other classroom activities, it is a practice that should be used with discretion and should not be hastily discarded in the absence of research studies that definitively prove its worthiness.  Let's not forget that unlike many other current trends in education, Round Robin Reading is a practice that not only holds universal appeal, but has passed the test of time!

Please visit again soon.  I'm working on inserting a video clip that shows how some of my younger students practice RRR, as they read off of a teleprompter on an iPad.  This was one of their favorite activities developed for a learning station.

Tips and Tricks #4

The Sky’s the Limit

Did I mention that the judges in my hypothetical literacy competition (see Tips and Tricks #1) would be teachers?  That’s right, teachers would conduct an evaluative peer review of the best entries based on what they know about teaching literacy.  As a contestant, I would need to impress them by showing something that they may never have seen before.  At the same time, I know that teachers can be a hard sell.  What would it take to knock their socks off and win the competition?

Here are some of my ideas for securing the winning ticket.  First of all, what if I were to raise the bar higher than anyone might expect. For example, how about inserting some words that might even be unfamiliar to the judges!  These would include high-school-level vocabulary that many adults often mispronounce.  Secondly, I would demonstrate gains in proficiency by special-needs students who are challenged by learning disabilities and speech impediments, the latter of which would be especially noticeable in video clips that showcase the accomplishments of such kids when the sky’s the limit.

Tips and Tricks #3

Think Outside the Bubble

As you may have noticed, my first two blogs were written to set the groundwork for establishing a different perspective for literacy intervention.  Successfully battling the rising tide of illiteracy requires that we think outside the bubble in our search for answers.  I’ll be the first to admit that those of us in the teaching profession are prone to being conditioned to jump on the bandwagon without giving much thought as to the validity of the newest trends.  Unfortunately, many of us have learned not to question fundamental changes that periodically occur in a somewhat predictable cycle.

Hopefully, this blog will provide a venue for us to pop the bubble as we explore new ideas and exchange divergent viewpoints to enhance our collective professional growth.  Interesting and sometimes provocative topics will serve to stimulate thoughtful discussion of current practices and innovative teaching methods and techniques.  I encourage everyone to submit their constructive comments, questions and opinions.

Tips and Tricks #2

repetitio est mater studiorum

Repetition is one of the most intuitive principles of learning  that is traceable to ancient Egyptian and Chinese education well over 5,000 years ago.  The ancient Greeks also acknowledged the value of repetition in the Latin proverb repetitio est mater studiorum (translated: repetition is the mother of study).   In more recent times, the central role of repetition in constructive learning theory has been underscored by the work of Piaget, Bruner, Vygotsky and others.

Why then, do so many American educators dismiss the value of repetitive drills in their curricula?  The results of the popular drill and kill mentality can be seen everywhere in the form of poor spelling skills, weak mastery of math facts and limited factual knowledge.  In sharp contrast, drills are used extensively in many Asian countries where students must learn to read thousands of often complex calligraphy characters.

Do you remember those well-padded athletes referred to in my previous blog?   Even as professionals, they continue to practice their drills and routines for several hours each day.  If you were to be a contender in my hypothetical literacy competition, it would behoove you to consider using a variety of selected drills with your student, especially if you’re really serious about taking the lead.  As you'll see in future installments, my students have benefited greatly from drills that are an integral part of their lessons.

Tips and Tricks #1

The Coaching Model

A few years ago, I read an article about a subject referred to in the sports world as the coaching model.  Even though I’m not a sports fan, I’m always looking for new ways of reaching my students and this proven approach seemed to have a lot of merit.  After all, if it works for athletes who are paid millions to perform on the field, why not use the same coaching model to help kids perform better in the classroom?

This athletic training approach is based on the notion that our brains tend to remember what we first see when introduced to a new skill.  Whether one is learning to throw a football, swing a golf club, or kick a soccer ball, the coaching model dictates that the proper form be observed at the outset for the most effective and efficient results.

Common sense suggests that this  coaching model can also be applied to teaching literacy.  Think of it this way-- imagine you’re in a literacy competition with a million dollar purse to the teacher who can teach an underachieving, learning disabled, limited- English-speaking student to read and write within 30 days.  Would you be up to the challenge?  Do you think it would be advantageous to use popular learning activities such as: correcting purposely misspelled words, rearranging jumbled words to compose a coherent sentence, completing a word search or using context clues to figure out the meaning of nonsense words?  Don’t you think these activities would greatly hinder rather than help your chances of reaching the finish line first?

So, let’s start by showing students only correctly spelled words and modeling only complete sentences.  How about not even bothering to show them incorrect forms of any kind?  Teach them to do it right the first time and every time to accelerate the learning process and avoid having to waste time with unpleasant damage control.  I guarantee you’ll be surprised at the results!