“The Nature of the Reading Process”

After teaching fourth grade and kindergarten, I was able to make many personal connections to John Carroll’s ” The Nature of the Reading Process”.  The article discusses the process of reading, including the stages of reading as instant word recognition, determining the meaning of individual words, comprehending what is read, and the components of learning to read. I felt I could connect with each focus of the article as well as the eight components of reading. Carroll compared getting meaning from print with getting meaning from spoken language, it is also component number eight. This is something that I discuss and teach with my students. One of the first ways I teach this is through morning message. On the first day of school I tell the class that I wrote them a note to tell them what we will do on their first day of kindergarten, then I read through the message with them making sure to point to each word as I say it. I do this so children can begin to connect that spoken words carry meaning, their words can be written down, and that those written words have the same meaning as when they speak them. After several days, most of my students can begin to see that written words carry a message. After reading the message, I ask them what will we learn today or where will we go today? This reminds them that the written message I pointed to while I read aloud, meant something. It also helps them to practice recalling information that was read. Carroll also discusses the ability to dissect spoken words into component sounds. My school uses Saxon phonics and it has us practice this skill with the students everyday.  This skill is crucial for students in learning how to decode words and sound out words for spelling.