Module 4: Activity Two

I think the most important topic that Allington describes is "access to interesting text and choice." When students have a choice, they are much more open to doing any assignment a teacher may give them. Just from witnessing different classes during my field placements, I have observed that when students are reading books they are interested in or have chosen themselves, they are much more willing to read more and learn more about that text. This is especially important with younger children because if reading starts off on a bad note of something that is required and they are not interested in, they will have that same philosophy for a long time. Reading is such an important skill for students to learn, so why not initially make it enjoyable and more towards their interests. This not only engages them but gives them an independence because they can say, "Look! I've chosen this story because I like spiders and it is about spiders!" It gives the student a confidence in what they are reading and also a sense of pride that they chose the story and mastered reading the story. Choice and interest are very key in young age children so that is why I think it is the best topic to choose.