Transitions in Reading Instruction: Handling Contradictions in Beliefs and Practice

Reconciling whole language philosophy with traditional classroom reading instruction requires redefining beliefs about reading processes that, for most of us, are deeply embedded in years of basal reading instruction. Such re defining has the potential of creating conflicts between curricular beliefs and instructional practices. Whole language and basal skills instruction, according to Goodman (1989), are contradictory and incompatible practices. In contrast, Hemysfeld (1989) suggests that it is appropriate to combine the best aspects of skills instruction and whole language into one approach. While contradictions may exist initially, perhaps such contradictions will resolve themselves as educators redefine professional beliefs

One Teacher's Transition from Traditional Reading to Whole Language Reading Instruction: A Case Study

Curriculum and Instructio

Underestimating Capable Readers

Capable and gifted readers are often held back in grade level basal reading texts, regardless of their reading ability, for fear that essential skills may be missed (Allen and Swearingen, 1987; Carr, 1984). The abilities of these students are often underestimated (Bennett and Desforges, 1988)

Exploring Teacher Candidates’ Motivations to Teach

This qualitative study explored teacher candidates’ motivations to become teachers. As part of the application process, students are required to complete an onsite essay about why they want to become a teacher. The authors examined application essays of 53 candidates to identify motivations for becoming a teacher. From the data, we identified tentative categories and themes that explained students’ motivations for pursuing a program in teacher education. Upon refinement, these categories seem to group into three, not always mutually exclusive, themes: Altruism (Developing the student and Making a difference), Personal Fulfillment (Making a difference, Sharing knowledge and experience, Dispositional motivators, Destiny to teach, and Serving as a role model), and Convenience of Teaching (Utilitarian).Understanding students’ motivation for teaching has implications for teacher education programs