A few years ago I was fortunate to have the opportunity to team teach a 7th grade science class. My colleague and I teamed up to combine our talents: his knowledge of science and my knowledge of reading strategies. One strategy we used to ensure that the students could fluently and effortlessly read the science vocabulary was fluency drills. Every time we encountered the word “niche” in our choral reading fluency practice, the students shouted “niche”. I was always curious as to why the class latched on to that word in particular. I guess in some ways we are all looking for our niche … the place where we uniquely fit, a place that feels comfortable. As a reading specialist, I sometimes wonder where and how I fit with all these “techies” I meet through the DEN and conferences I choose to attend. Not knowing, not understanding, and floundering around with technology can be frustrating, but … ahhh, the excitement and sense of accomplishment that comes with success after hard work.
For many students, school is a comfortable niche. They have friends and at least one subject they enjoy. For some of the students I teach, seeing friends may be the only reason they walk into the building. Every class they enter can be a place where they are confused and floundering. Technology has become an equalizer. Students don’t need to compare themselves against others. As often as possible, I use technology to deliver, practice, and or produce content. Now instead of using choral reading as a major fluency training strategy, students can listen to a podcast of words and their meanings. They can practice their fluency by using Audacity; they can create their own podcast to help teach their classmates. My middle school students may still be looking for their own niche, but technology has helped provide a niche for successful risk taking and learning in the classroom.
