Module 4: Video Summaries

                 Running records are a valuable tool to when analyzing a student’s reading. I use running records on a regular basis in my first grade classroom to determine student reading levels. I don’t make all the marks exactly as the teacher demonstrated on the three-part video, but I am still gathering the same information. I actually don’t use the check marks or “ticks” for correct words. I leave the word without any markings if it is said correctly, because I don’t like having the extra marks on the page. I feel putting a mark on every word makes the paper very “busy/messy” and harder to read and interpret. Since I am looking for errors in the student’s reading I only mark the errors. The teacher on the other video did a nice job of teaching the student how to assess his own reading. The student had a clear understanding of what fluency is, so it was obvious the teacher had been working with him to master this skill. I think going back over the errors I mark during a running record with my students helps them gain a better understanding of reading and how they can improve.