Debbie Miller is an inspirational teacher, who lives and breathes her teaching, infusing the classroom with her personality. It is clear to see through her writing in her book, "Reading with Meaning". She takes us on a journey of a year with her year 1 class of 27. By the end of the year, they are reading with comprehension rich enough that you would be pleased if a year 4 student spoke with such confidence!
The beginning third of the book is comprised of how she sets up her classroom, ideas and ethos. Miller writes with a friendly, conversational style that is easy to digest. Of course, it helps that her ideas are fantastic and worth reading! Her passion, dedication and rigour are palpable through the pride she expresses in her class, and the evidence she presents.
The next section of the book delves deeper - how to get into teaching and learning comprehension. Specifically, Miller discusses schema, creating mental images, inferring, asking questions, importance, non-fiction comprehension, and synthesising. Granted, it is a lot to cover, but, by about half-way through this set of comprehension strategies, you get a feel for the method that Miller uses. She is deliberate and strategic when introducing and implementing new skills and concepts, and follows a particular method (which is discussed in the beginning section).
Miller provides evidence at the end of each strategy chapter, showing the confidence and level of understanding of her students with each skill. She uses rich literature, mostly picture books, as her examples when modeling during lessons, and provides an excellent list of books at the end of the book (and each chapter).
This book is filled with lots of "wow" moments - things that I am inspired to try. I can now see a clearer way, and a more deliberate way, to teach comprehension. I will be returning to this book for suggestions for future lessons.
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