The Schoolwide Enrichment Model Reading Framework (SEM-R) is a reading program which encourage children to read. Sometimes our reading experiences are disappointing. That’s why this program aims to create a new environment where students can rejoice with different reading dynamics. The SEM-R includes many levels depending on the children’s reading abilities. For this reason, this program is suitable for any type of pupil turning them into independent and lifelong readers.
The SEM-R is divided in three phases:
● The first one is Exposure. In this phase the teacher needs a “library” with a wide variety of books regarding the students’ interests. The tutor picks one and reads it aloud for their pupils. They will be asked questions about anything related to the book (e.g., characters, plot, settings, illustrations, conflict, etc.) This will be the start of the discussion. The main purpose of this stage is creating an atmosphere of eagerness to find out what will happen next. This requires some dramatic skills from the teacher, such as effective variation of intonation or changing the speed and volume.
● The second one is called Supported Independent Reading. In this phase children are ready to read by themselves. They have to choose a book from the library according to their reading level and their preferences. While they are reading, the teacher will have one-on-one conferences with each student. During these conferences, the teacher will ask students to give them some information about the book, to read a paragraph and to answer some questions. Students have to be conscious about their reading strategies in order to improve them or change something in case it’s necessary. Moreover, they should highlight the interesting parts of the book because then they will discuss them with their teacher.
● The third phase Student Self-Choice Activities is similar to the second one. However, students leave behind the teacher-directed exercises and let their imagination explode into creative activities. The teacher will provide a list with some options, for instance setting up “interest groups”, in which the students can express their opinions and rub off the enthusiasm of their partners, motivating their classmates to read different books. This list is not closed, so students can come up with new ideas or projects that they can show to the other pupils and astonish them.
Unlike what we are used in terms of reading at school, the SEM-R provides a delightful way to diving into books. In spite of imposing the same kinds of books, the reading pace and the same reading level, this new method let students set their own rhythm while they read interesting books for them. Through this process, students won’t be ordinary readers, but independent, critical, imaginative and open-minded individuals.
Hi!
ReplyDeleteFrom my point of view, reading is a fantastic tool in order to learn spelling, vocabulary, structures, and culture in all the languages, but as you know, a lot of kids don´t like reading (it was my case) and this is a big problem.
I think that children don´t like reading because they don´t read what they like or they are always using the same method and they are bored.
For this reason, I think that your proposal of using the SEM-R program is fantastic, because is dynamic and they will enjoy reading. Furthermore, includes many levels, so we can use it with all the kids, from those who know reading perfectly, to those who still can´t read very well.
I have never heard about it and I think it is an interesting purpose to encourage students to read. I think that with this programme students may improve their reading skills in different languages because,as Luján said before, if students read they can learn vocabulary,culture,grammar,etc.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea!! In my opinion, primary school projects about reading books are always boring. Children have to read the same books and finally, these readings are not interesting for them because each pupil is interested in different things. What's more, teachers participate in a fun way! With this project they have the opportunity to show their students that read don't have to be boring and that's cool!
ReplyDeleteHi! I think this post it's very interesting. I've never heard about this program and I think is a good technique to use in our English classes with children. Most of kids thinks that books that they read in class are bored and they don't like them because each one have different likes. It's a new method to read and very funny!
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting post! I've never heard about this reading program.
ReplyDeleteReading programs are very useful to encourage children to read, but if they are not well implemented, they will be a complete failure.
In spite of the lack of interet children have in reading, they really enjoy a good book when it is given to them properly.
As teachers, we need to bring literature into the classrooms and make it atracctive for children, and they must feel involved in this process. If we can do this, children will love books!
I think this is a very interesting and necessary project.
ReplyDeleteOn the one hand, nowadays people read less than before and for this reason it is very important that the children acquire a reading habit since childhood.
On the other hand, reading books can have many benefits for the children. For instance, they can improve the reading comprehension, vocabulary and spelling abilities. Moreover they can increase his concentration and imagination or get to relax when they are stressed.
Definitively, the reading has innumerable benefits to his growth and personal development, difficult to find in the educational video games.
Although this project is fabulous, it is very important that parents read at home with their children with the aim that the children acquire a habit of reading.
This is easier than it looks because the habit of reading is as natural as learning to brush the teeth or go to bed alone.
In summary, the reading also contributes that the children in a future may become better persons in all the aspects of the life.
I think this program is very interesting, mainly because it stimulates enjoyment of reading and it respects the rhythm of each child. Teachers often don’t take in account the rhythm of children and kids get tired and bored. We have to think that read implies understand what you read and have fun.
ReplyDeleteMost children get bored reading the books that teachers ask them to read in school because children have different tastes and it's likely that they still haven't found a book they like really.
Thanks to you I have known this fantastic reading program.
I had no idea that there were these types of projects. Honestly, I find them very interesting because reading is essential in the life of a person because when you read, you acquire a critical thinking and even it helps us to know ourselves better.
ReplyDeleteIt should be said that in the curriculum of Primary Education, they put reading as a basic and essential feature. Therefore, teachers should make children read more because it is good for them.
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ReplyDeletePersonally I think that spending time reading in the classroom is an essential activity in all subjects because not all children have the opportunity to have books at home. Likewise, extending reading time to other languages, like the English language, it’s a great idea because you can learn a lot of vocabulary, grammatical structures.... This program that you show us in your post, seems very interesting because reading comprehension is monitored with personal interviews. Thanks for your contribution!
ReplyDeleteHi Chema and Yaiza and thanks for the post, which I too found very interesting, as did quite a few of your classmates. One thing I lked was that it was well referenced, thanks to the use of hyperlinks and the video. I especially agree with the importance of literacy in helping young learners to become “independent, critical, imaginative and open-minded individuals” as you say. Some schools (such as CEIP A Ponte in Ourense) already have a mandatory reading period schoolwide at a given point during the day – I think the approach you deal with could easily be integrated as part of this framework, don’t you?
ReplyDeleteWhat a useful and interesting program! I totally agree with you had written. Reading can be really fun if teachers know how to introduce the great pleasure of reading at school. Many children abhor literature and, as I see it, that´s because of a lack of motivation or enthusiasm.
ReplyDeleteAs teachers to be, we are responsible for encouraging reading culture in order to pupils enjoy learning, even in foreign languages which are often more difficult to them. I´ll rely on this program to get this aim.
SEM-R should be taken into account for all of us!!