FREEDOM!
That's what anybody wants, especially a child.
Children desire the opportunity to be independent and choose!
Literacy choice time is the perfect time to embrace this innate desire with open arms.
Literacy choice empowers students with choices and autonomy by independently working on various literacy choices that the teacher carefully sets up. Although it may seem like the children just choose an activity and are sent away to go work, the teacher still plays a passive, more discreet role that allows the children to get the most out of this time. Careful preparation prior and scaffolding during and after this time is crucial for literacy development.
Upon watching a video provided by fellow educators, I realized that this self-selected activity time is quite similar to some of my own experiences and personal observations. Although the concept is nearly identical, (only my school calls it, "The Daily 5"), the approach carried out by the teachers is drastically different. The teacher from the video carries out a calm demeanor, encouraging the children to feel comfortable in the environment in which she ultimately is responsible for. She does not rush the students or pressure them into a particular choice.
On the contrary, what I have personally observed at times by some teachers, does not take the time to allow the children to comfortably choose their activity. They are rushed and pressured in front of their peers to pick certain activities based on their abilities.
Thus, though the concept of literacy choice time fosters independence for the children, the teacher's role is still just as important as any other part of the school day. Fostering confidence and the ability to acknowledge both their strengths and weaknesses is inherent for growth.
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