Why Blog


I’m passionate about finding ways to simplify comprehension instruction and learning. I’m concerned that we are defining comprehension too narrowly as an accumulation of five or six meta-cognitive strategies when cultivating comprehension involves so much more than that. We need to help children acquire accurate fluent reading skills and strategies; build background knowledge; develop their oral language and vocabulary; make reading-writing connections, and acquire a repertoire of meta-cognitive strategies to use as and if needed.


So I invite you to join me in blogging about this ever-so-important topic. I look forward to hearing your ideas, teaching strategies, book recommendations, classroom stories, etc., basically anything that will inspire a healthy conversation among colleagues.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Ask Sharon...an Advice Column for Teachers (can you see me smiling?)

I have an idea. How about I ask you to post teaching questions throughout the week, and then I select one or two to answer every Monday or Tuesday? Sort of like an “Ann Landers” or “Dear Abby” column, only about teaching! (Just so you know, I’m “playing ” with this advice column format—just trying to have a little fun—and don’t at all take myself seriously. That said, you can count on me to take your questions VERY seriously and provide the best answer I can.) Are you with me?

So start posting your questions…anything at all related to teaching and learning, and I’ll post a reply on Monday or Tuesday. Can’t wait to hear from you.
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5 comments:

  1. MandyFebruary 11, 2011 at 9:31 PM

    Dear Sharon,

    When you think or hear the word kindergarten what comes to your mind? What's the top 3 things in literacy that come to your mind? Play, literacy, reading levels, integration. I think it's a tough time to teach primary.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Linda DFebruary 12, 2011 at 8:40 PM

    Hello!
    I’m wondering if you have some suggestions for mentor texts and/or instructional strategies for a non-fiction reading and writing study. I’ve started a little frontloading by increasing my read aloud of informational texts and asking students to share when they find something that interests them in non-fiction text during independent reading.

    In your experience, might a non-fiction study work best with an over-arching topic?

    Also, our writing curriculum requires that our first graders write a “how-to”. Do you have any suggestions for mentor texts?

    ReplyDelete
  3. lindsayFebruary 13, 2011 at 9:26 AM

    More must have g. reading sets/ companion texts that are fabulous-especially for 2nd graders

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mrs. SayreFebruary 25, 2011 at 9:23 PM

    I am looking for some really good books to teach visualization with me second grade kiddos. Do you have any suggestions?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sharon TaberskiFebruary 26, 2011 at 2:50 PM

    look for my reply to your question on the february 28th blog. thanks for writing.

    ReplyDelete

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