COOL BRAIN RESEARCH

WHAT?

I am currently learning about The Gully in the "Brain Glitch" Theory by Judy Willis. In this Judy talks about how the reading is not just learned with one part of the brain. This makes it hard for researchers to see why a student is not learning to read as fast as others. Scientists can not "conclude that reading ability has improved just because phonics-intense instruction has produced changes in phonics-functioning brain regions and improved performance on phonics-weighted post-tests." We are hurting generations of students by trying to do it this way. Phonics does not teach students to love reading, which is our main goal.

SO WHAT?

Judy's research has to do with education because lots of people (parents, teachers, etc) believe that phonics will improve their child's reading and make them want to read more. As a teacher, I understand that I will have to quirk their interest first to get them reading. I understand that each child is at a different level, and so I will have the resources to let them read at their level without feeling "dumb" or "stupid." A child's brain is always learning more information, and if they are forced to do something (reading in phonics) they will hate it because it is not their choice.

NOW WHAT?

As I read Judy's research I realized that I can not become the teacher that she is talking about. I can't just put a student in a special reading group and assume that they will love reading after. I need to, as a teacher, put forth my best effort to show that books can bring you into any world you want. I need to know what each student is interested in, enjoys, and is involved in. If a student of mine likes football find him a good book (his level) that has to do with football. Each student and each year will be different. Each childs brain is different, and as a teacher I must have basic knowledge of each child so I can help them to not only love reading, but love learning as well.