ELA Teaching-What I've Learned

This semester I have had my first real introduction to teaching ELA, and along with learning teaching strategies, I have learned more about middle school learners in general.  Specifically, my eyes have been opened to the fact that not all middle school students are proficient readers.  Unfortunately for these students, I think that not enough teachers are prepared to deal with actually teaching students how to read. For example, teachers often don't realize the ways that they are making sure students comprehend the text are outdated or ineffective; asking the students questions that don't require a close reading of the text.

Making sure all students are able to comprehend a text goes with my definition of ELA: Teaching students how to read, interpret, learn from, and comprehend literature.  Wanting to share my passion and appreciation of literature with others is the reason that I chose this field as my specialty.  It is my hope that through my motivation I can provide a positive learning environment for students and thus make them more motivated and receptive to learning.  Interpreting and comprehending literature is a skill that will be carried on throughout the rest of the students' lives and therefore it is especially important for teachers to help students make sense of the sometimes daunting subject of ELA.