We hear much about the Science of Reading and mandated scripted programs, teacher-proof silver bullets. I was discussing how lessons are opportunities to insert some magic into our teaching. A group of teachers from a district using one of the state recommended SOR Silver Bullet Reading Programs; said we don't write lesson plans in one of my courses. I asked them how do you modify and differentiate instruction for Individual instruction for Second Language and Special Education Students? "Everyone gets the same, everyone learns at the same pace. I asked what about those special learning moments that change everything? "We don't have them, to be honest, Dr. Turner the kids are bored and so are we. I said I don't see much science in scripted programs, and I bet even advocates of SOR might agree.
It was Reads Across America Day, and as always, I visited a local school to read. I picked a few books to read at a local school whose teachers write lessons, teach a healthy dose of phonics, and squeeze lots of real reading. They assigned me two classes to read to. I always asked for classes with plenty of second-language learners. One of the teachers Mrs. Jefferson saw me in the office and said looking forward to having you read to my students later. She said 10 of them are new arrivals. I told her I was bringing one of my Spanish Language Teachers to help me read a bilingual book.
She said that was perfect. I love reading aloud to classes. I always wear my CCSU Colors and put on a great show. Of all the paths I could take, and dreams I could chase, only one called my heart ❤️
Like all paths, teaching some days is tough, but then some are perfect. This is me on a perfect day with my LLA 440 student at Reads Across America Day.
Mr. Martinez and I read “Super Oscar” A bilingual book about Oscar De La Hoya. The children loved hearing it in Spanish and English. Of course, we read like we were comic actors, hamming it up to highlight Spanish and English words like Música.
We were on a roll this morning. Our plan was, to begin with, me saying to the class "Wo Wo Me", I brought the wrong book. This one is a bilingual book, in Spanish and English.
Everyone knows Dr. Turner's is not very good. My apologies Ms. Jefferson, but I won't be able to read to your students today. Sorry Children I can't read to you today. I would need a Superhero Spanish Teacher. Then from the back of the room came "Hola Dr. Turner, it is me Mr. Martinez a Superhero Spanish Teacher".
We read, being sure to involve the children, and whenever a problem in the book popped in this one there were many. I close the book saying that is it children, it all goes downhill from here. I better leave now. Of course, a chorus of no you have to read more. You might even say Mr. Martinez and I scripted it, and then something very unsuspected happened.
It was the highlight of the day. One newly arrived student to the USA got right up next to the book whenever Mr. Martinez was reading the Spanish text. We thought maybe he wanted to see the pictures better. Mr. Martinez put the book right in front of him. Then he started reading every word in Spanish fluently and with feeling. It was as if he was part of our team. We had to have him join us. This is the stuff literacy educators live for, this is the stuff that scripted can't do.
Teaching calls my heart still 40 years later,
Dr. Jesse P. Turner CCSU Literacy Center Director
If you like to listen to the song that inspired my walk today, it was Barry Lane's "Little Programs" https://barrylane.bandcamp.com/track/little-programs
Barry Lane and Jesse Enjoying a walk together
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