Help for Struggling Readers: Synthesis Blog #2

Reading is intertwined into every subject: math, science, history, language arts, etc. and with reading comes difficulty. I can relate to this heavily because I have never been a strong reader and unfortunately, I hardly ever have any interest in reading. It has been something that I have always struggled with whether it is reading aloud or trying to comprehend difficult texts. After reading chapter 11 of Subjects Matter, I was able to gather several useful tips that will help me as a future educator. I really enjoyed reading Jennifer Hernandez's steps she takes which is located on page 282.

"If students experiencing difficulty are going to take the risk and give math or science or foreign language a new try, they need to know what you'll be there to help, and that they're in a safe place where they won't suffer further hurt if they don't succeed on the first attempt" (280, SM). This quote is important to take in and understand because it is crucial for future educators, such as myself. Students need to feel safe and accepted in their learning environment. I remember all the feelings I had about reading when I was in school. I got embarrassed, shy, and insecure about myself and my reading abilities. That is why it is necessary for educators to know their students' strengths and weaknesses when it comes to reading (and all other subject areas). "And yet our close observation of their struggle tells us that to help students understand and learn from the tasks we assign them, we must work with their reading process" (278-279, SM). 

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