Readers Front and Center: Helping All Students Engage with Complex Text

by Dorothy Barnhouse

Every teacher wants and expects his or her students to be reading increasingly complex texts, yet sometimes the gap between our expectations and our students' abilities seems wide and deep. It's tempting to look at that gap and step in to fill it for them, but then we'd be doing most of the heavy lifting the understanding, analysis, and interpretation that our students should be learning for themselves. So how can teachers reverse this trend and ensure that our students are fully entering, absorbing, and experiencing texts? How can we make sure they're making complex meaning independently and proficiently,- as the Common Core State Standards require? Readers Front & Center answers these questions by framing instruction that starts with the student. You'll learn how to do the Research and listen to your students so your teaching can be more targetedNotice and name your students' thinking so they can see- what complex thinking looks and sounds likeSet your students up to be problem solversPrepare your students to do increasingly complex thinking in increasingly complex texts Filled with examples of one-on-one conferences, small groups, and whole-class scenarios, this essential book provides an accessible and inspiring model of how-;and why-;we need to put students at the front and center of our teaching.

Genres: Nonfiction, Adult

176 pages, Paperback

First published April 28, 2014

Reviews

[Mary Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I only manage to read one professional book this summer, I'm glad it was this one. Barnhouse has taken my thinking about conferencing to a new level. Blog post to follow.

[Maria Caplin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will revisit this book many times - huge shifts in conferences love the idea of "investigator."

[Trina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dorothy Barnhouse is one of my new favorite authors in literacy. There were SO many ideas that I loved in this book. Barnhouse has a great writing voice and makes her ideas accessible to all teachers.

Readers Front and Center is really about conferring, especially in noticing what a reader is doing and naming it in order to move a reader forward. It reminded me that we need to start by paying attention to our students by listing and noticing.

Barnhouse says, "conferring is essentially an invitation to glimpse the intersection between a student and a text." (page 15). She also says that it is the job of educators to, "...teach how and why to live literate lives, and we therefore need to allow students time to interact with print, time to practice, and time to develop a relationship with books." (page 15)

I will hold onto many things from this book, especially the idea that we need to teach students "how to enter a text, absorb it, and experience it." (page 145) I agree that it is the process (not product) of reading that we need help our students build agency in. Ultimately, we want all of our students to see themselves as thinkers and learners.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reflection

I came to this book without knowing completely what I was getting into. I just really liked the title, Readers Front & Center.

When I began conferencing with students about their reading four years ago, I came to it much the same way. It had been discussed in books I'd read regarding reader's workshop, so I thought I would give it a whirl. Talking with students about their reading has always been one of my favorite parts of teaching, but I've also thought it was an area I could improve.

A reading conference itself is often times an act of diving into the unknown. Much of what is to be gained from a conference is invisible, and in my opinion takes an act of bravery to begin on the part of both student and teacher. I enjoyed how Barnhouse recognizes this within the text. Relationships must be built with our students, and their confidence must be fortified before we begin teaching. As for teachers, they must be willing have conversations about books they may not have read and listen closely to what the student is taking away from a text to effectively figure out how they can help.

Dorothy Barnhouse's book is a great reminder that students and their individual needs require that teachers listen during these conversations and utilize language that empowers each reader. Her example conversations with students were so helpful in reflecting on how I can better notice and name what's happening rather than jump in to help clarify students' confusion right away (A common habit that makes it harder for students to transfer the skills teachers want them to learn!). If you are looking to improve your ability to conference with students about their reading, I would definitely recommend Readers Front & Center. Through positive conversations, with each individual reader front & center in our minds, teachers can help students develop confidence and reach new heights.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this book during the summer and put it aside. I am glad I took time to finish it! This is a book that elementary teachers of reading need to know. The author pinpoints an issue that I had given little thought- the focus of working with readers during conferences is often on "what they know" (or more typically don't know) instead of "how they know it". This book provides specific guidance for conducting more effective conferences by explaining how to help students do more complex thinking for themselves.

[The Reading Countess · Rating 2 out of 5]

If nothing else, Dorothy Barnhouse's new book is reaffirming.

With that said, there are no groundbreaking AHA! moments. As a matter of fact, her entire book is reminiscent of Jennifer Serravallo and Tanny McGregor. The most disappointing aspect is her overuse of the two-column inference chart we all know, love and probably overuse.

Stenhouse preview.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Barnhouse since her collaboration with Vicki Vinton in WHAT READERS DO. One of my professional goals this year is to make Reader's Workshop the place where readers GROW! Barnhouse provides excellent, practical ideas in this easy-to-read-and-digest book. I am excited to get started (though not so excited that I'm not enjoying summer:-).

[Nicole Saridakis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great professional read about conferring! This book drastically improved my conferring practices and better helped me know/support my students as readers. I know I will go back to this book and re-read it many times!