However, it is possible to write in a way that reveals an understanding of what a person reads or what they hear during lecture. Lecture in the classroom provides an ideal opportunity for learners to reflect on what they have learned in previous sessions and to decide how they will use that knowledge to further their understanding, or to help them make decisions related to the content they have learned. As I plan to become a history teacher I now realize how important reading and writing skills are to the student's comprehension of the content covered in lecture and in class. Students learn in many different ways. One reason that Nathan may not be doing well in both reading and in writing is because he simply does not understand the content or the context in which information is presented in the classroom. While he may not understand much from lectures, he may be able to improve his reading and subsequently his writing be relating what it is he learns to personal experiences that he has. It could be that Nathan will require different methods of teaching other than the standard model to improve his reading and writing skills. One way to help facilitate these skills would be to have Nathan select the subject he is most interested in, and then have him summarize why he has an interest in this subject. He should also read the material selected so his writing reflects his comprehension of the selection he made. His writing should also reflect why it is he enjoys the subject selected.

The same concepts may help Jessica learn how to write better. She is already adept or very good at reading. What she needs to learn now is how to associate what she has read with what she wants to talk about when writing. The best way for her to do this is to try to associate what she reads with experiences she enjoyed or did not enjoy in her life. When the content and context of reading becomes something that students are familiar with, and something...

When someone reads their own material to a group, they are more inclined to understand the content and context, which helps them develop stronger reading and writing abilities; this also helps hold the student accountable for what they learn in the classroom (Freeman, Ghiso & Hamayan, 2006). It is important for all students to learn how to relate their classroom learning with the real world in which they live. If students are not able to make connections between the reading and writing they do in school with their "real life" experiences, then they are likely to forget what information they do learn in class and revert to old ways, which may result in the case of Jessica and Nathan in poor skills acquisition.
I think all students should spend some time in a content oriented class, one that teaches students how to break down reading materials so they learn how to solve problems and develop solutions when writing about a topic. This information will help me as I continue my education in history, because I know have a foundation for learning that I can easily use to assist the people I teach learn how to read and write. Even though the subjects they learn will be historical, they can learn easy ways of applying the lessons behind stories to real life. This is the foundation for storytelling and the foundation for good reading comprehension and good writing skills.

Reference

Freeman, F., Ghiso, M.P. & Hamayan, E. (2006). Authentic Accountability for ELL's Reading and Writing Development. Available: http://www.ncela.gwu.edu/resabout/research/ira06_freeman.pdf

Reflection