Literacy Strategies/Activities by Mackenzie Null https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla EL316 (Emergent and Early) / EL317(Intermediate and Middle) en-us 2018-01-31 21:22:45 UTC 2023-02-14 16:58:17 UTC hello@padlet.com Choral Reading mcnull23 https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/226824194 Description:
A type of interactive reading that is usually done in small groups or as a class. Children use choral reading to orally share poems and other brief texts. There are many different arrangements for choral reading, but everyone participates and at times reads in unison.
Advantages: 
  • Provides children with valuable oral reading practice
  • Increases reading fluency
  • Classmates have support from each other 
  • Could go along with the I do, we do, you do
Disadvantages:
  • Some students may not participate because they think the teacher won’t notice their voice over other classmates voices
  • Book may be too long (students lose interest)
**sources: Literacy  in the Early Grades Gail E. Tompkins (EL316 Textbook)
Example:
]]> 2018-01-31 21:37:50 UTC https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/226824194 Rubrics mcnull23 https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/226833993 Description:
Also called a scoring guide, a rubric is used to evaluate children’s performance according to specific criteria. They outline what students need to do for an assignment. Some show how many points a student can earn for their score in that category, while others may have a an emoji such as a smiley face or frowny face. Teachers, as well as students can use rubrics.
Advantages:
  • Students can score other classmates
  • Students can assess themselves
  • Students can get feedback on assignments and see what area they need to work on
  • Emphasizes importance of material
Disadvantages:
  • Can take away from the creativity of the student
  • Students can get overwhelmed by looking at it
  • Could be time consuming for the teacher
**sources: Literacy  in the Early Grades Gail E. Tompkins (EL316 Textbook)
Example:
]]> 2018-01-31 22:07:20 UTC https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/226833993 Word Wall mcnull23 https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/226834234 Description: A list of words that students create using phonograms that is hung up for kids to refer to. Teachers use the words on the word wall for various activities. There are two different types of words walls teachers can utilize: important (words from books children are reading or from thematic units) and high-frequency (most commonly used words, represents more than 50% of all the words children and adults wrote).
Advantages: 
  • Kids can refer to them during class
  • Can keep adding words 
  • Expands vocabulary 
  • Can be used for multiple subjects
Disadvantages:
  • If not explained well...could be a waste of wall space
  • Not all students will need/want that certain word
  • Used often (overused)
**sources: Literacy  in the Early Grades Gail E. Tompkins (EL316 Textbook)
Example: 
]]> 2018-01-31 22:08:23 UTC https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/226834234 Reading Logs mcnull23 https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/226834482 Description: These are a way for children to examine text factors of stories they read. Children can write and/or draw their thoughts or feelings based off what they read in a reading log. These are meant for students to express how they feel and explore the story in a deeper way. Students can write or draw freely in the entry, or it can be teacher directed and there can be prompts or certain questions to answer. This can also be a way to make sure kids are reading. A reading log can track what kids read and how long they are reading for.
Advantages:
  • Allows the child to explore the story and express their reaction to it
  • Diagrams can be added
  • They can write any misunderstandings they have from the story (teacher can check it to give feedback)
Disadvantages:
  • Some students may not find it productive
  • Students/parents may look at it as a “chore”
**sources: Literacy  in the Early Grades Gail E. Tompkins (EL316 Textbook)
Example:
]]> 2018-01-31 22:09:23 UTC https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/226834482 K-W-L Charts mcnull23 https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/228415979 Description: This chart is used by teachers to allow kids to expand on their background knowledge, and introduce new information. In an organized manner. This is a scaffolding method. The K stands for “What I Know”, the W stands for “What I Wonder”, and the L stands for “What I Learned”.
Advantages:
  • Very helpful for English learners
  • Informs teachers on the students’ background knowledge
  • Can be used for any subject or topic
  • Can be used for individual students or for the class as a whole
Disadvantages:
  • Used often (overused)
  • Students may not have that prior knowledge to build off of
Example:
]]> 2018-02-06 02:10:35 UTC https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/228415979 Making Words mcnull23 https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/228416194 Description: A  teacher directed spelling activity in which children arrange letter cards to spell words. Teachers choose a 5 to 8 letter word and prepare sets of letter cards. The children can then use the cards to practice spelling words and review spelling patterns and rules. They can then rearrange the cards they have to make smaller words inside the bigger word.
Advantages:
  • ELs collaborate with classmates 
  • Hands-on activity 
  • Promotes development of phonological awarenesses
Disadvantages:
  • Some students may not know word patterns
  • Some students may not be as familiar with the alphabet 
  • Teacher may not choose a variety (little/big, easy/hard, etc.) of words for kids to work with 
**sources: Literacy  in the Early Grades Gail E. Tompkins (EL316 Textbook)
Example:
]]> 2018-02-06 02:12:17 UTC https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/228416194 Hot Seat mcnull23 https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/229817217 Description: A role playing activity where a kid acts a character from the story and sits in the “hot seat” in front of the class. The classmates then ask questions and the one sitting has to quickly think of an answer.
Advantages:
  • Deepens children’s understanding of the book they are reasing
  • Children can get creative (wear costumes)
  • Children can take turns being different characters from the story in the “hot seat”
Disadvantages:
  • A child may feel intimidated or be shy if they are in the “hot seat”
  • Some students may not want to participate in asking questions
  • A student may not know how to answer the questions being asked
**sources: Literacy  in the Early Grades Gail E. Tompkins (EL316 Textbook)
Example:
]]> 2018-02-08 20:42:26 UTC https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/229817217 Story Boards mcnull23 https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/229818088 Description: These are cards on which the illustrations and text from a picture book have been attached. The students are then able to arrange the cards in the order they go in.
Advantages:
  • Children can visualize the story and closely examine the illustrations
  • Can be used in a variety of ways (recognize the beginning, middle, and end of a story, compare different stories, identify sequences, etc.)
  • Very helpful to English language students (they can use them to preview the story and review the story)
  • Story boards can be drawn by the students, or already have the printed illustrations on them
Disadvantages:
  • Some kids may want to be more elaborate with it
  • Student may be discouraged if they can not draw
  • Students may not understand the point of a story board and will just draw random parts (rather than main points) from the story
**sources: Literacy  in the Early Grades Gail E. Tompkins (EL316 Textbook)
Example:
]]> 2018-02-08 20:44:34 UTC https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/229818088 Interactive Read- Alouds mcnull23 https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/229818627 Description: Teachers choose a book to read aloud to their class. They activate prior knowledge and then dive into the book, engaging the children and asking them questions as they go. There is interaction between the students and the teacher. The teachers are scaffolding the children’s understanding of the book being read.
Advantages:
  • Children listen and also participate by answering questions
  • Enhances literacy development 
  • Children can learn new vocab
  • Teachers have an objective for reading the book (vocabulary, context clues, compound words, etc.)
Disadvantages:
  • Students may not focus 
  • Students may not listen
  • Some students may struggle with the objective (whatever the focus of the lesson is for the book)
**sources: Literacy  in the Early Grades Gail E. Tompkins (EL316 Textbook)
Example:

]]> 2018-02-08 20:45:55 UTC https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/229818627 Shared Reading mcnull23 https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/229819099 Description: This is an interactive way of reading as the teacher stands/sits in front of the class with a book (usually a “big” book). The class, or in small groups, listens/reads along with the teacher. The teacher models fluency and points as he or she reads so the students can follow.
Advantages:
  • Teacher models how the book should be read
  • It can be done as a whole class, or in small groups
  • Helps those struggling readers
Disadvantages:
  • Some students may not focus or pay attention
  • Some students may get frustrated if it is being read to fast and they can not keep up
**sources: Literacy  in the Early Grades Gail E. Tompkins (EL316 Textbook)
Example:
]]> 2018-02-08 20:47:08 UTC https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/229819099 Cloze Procedure mcnull23 https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/251245164 Description: A reading comprehension strategy where certain words in a passage or any text are left out and have to be filled in.
Advantages: 
  • Great for comprehension as the students think about what would fit in the blank
  • Can activate scheme (background knowledge)
  • Requires critical thinking skills
Disadvantages:
  • Students may not understand of the context of the passage to text to fill in the blank
  • Students may not have that background knowledge of the certain passage 
ELLs: 
  • Orally read the passage with the blanks to the child
***sources: Gunning, Thomas G. Creating Literacy Instruction: for All Students. Pearson, 2016.

]]> 2018-04-12 16:36:10 UTC https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/251245164 Mini lesson mcnull23 https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/255064939 Description: A mini lesson can also be called a short lesson. It is a a short, focused lesson and something that will later be taught in a larger lesson. Mini lessons can be over any topic, but usually happen before a writing or reading workshop.
Advantages:
  • Explicit/direct instruction
  • One objective is taught
  • Scaffolding
Disadvantages:
  • Direct instruction can sometimes hinder the creativity of children
  • The lesson could be so quick/brief students do not understand it 
ELLs:
  • Use pictures or manipulatives
  • Direct/explicit instruction 
***sources: “Instruction: Mini-Lesson.” Learn, Children’s Literacy Initiative , learn.cli.org/best-practices/reading-workshop/instruction/mini-lesson.
]]> 2018-04-25 01:03:47 UTC https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/255064939 Readers Theatre mcnull23 https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/255072855 Description: A strategy to help develop reading fluency. Each student in the class gets assigned a certain character role or some type of role in the readers theatre (character, prop person, etc.). The class as a whole practices over and over, each student orally reading their part in the script.
Advantages:
  • Reading fluency is improving 
  • Helps students to practice reading with expression
  • Helps build reading confidence 
Disadvantages:
  • Some students may not take their part seriously or may not want to participate at all
  • Could take too long (teacher would have to set aside a couple weeks to practice, get props, and perform)
  • Students might not be happy about the part they get
ELLs:
  • Provide script in both English and their native language
  • Use easier scripts with fewer words
  • When assigning roles, be sensitive to students' individual needs. Assign roles accordingly; provide extra, individual practice if needed.
***sources: “Reader's Theater | Classroom Strategy.” Reading Rockets, 20 Dec. 2017, www.readingrockets.org/strategies/readers_theater.
 

]]> 2018-04-25 01:52:04 UTC https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/255072855 mcnull23 https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/255078057 2018-04-25 02:26:16 UTC https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/255078057 Semantic Feature Analysis mcnull23 https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/255078944 Description: A strategy that uses a grid to help kids explore how sets of things are related to one another. By completing and analyzing the grid, students are able to see connections, make predictions and master important concepts.
Advantages:
  • enhances comprehension and vocabulary skills
  • illustrates how words are both similar and different 
  • activates students' prior knowledge
Disadvantages:
  • Students may not know the vocabulary 
  • Limited on focus 
  • Students probably dont understand the connotative or figurative meaning of a word
ELLs:
  • Use concrete words and features
  • Begin with items that are fairly dissimilar and move toward using items where the differences are more subtle
  • Give follow up assignments 
***sources: “Semantic Feature Analysis | Classroom Strategy.” Reading Rockets, 12 Jan. 2018, www.readingrockets.org/strategies/semantic_feature_analysis. 

]]> 2018-04-25 02:32:26 UTC https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/255078944 RAFT mcnull23 https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/255080963 Description: RAFT is a writing strategy that stands for Role, Audience, Format, and Topic. This strategy helps students understand their roles as writers, the audience they will address, the varied formats for writing, and the topic they'll be writing about.
Advantages:
  • Teacher encourage students to be creative in their writing
  • Students get to practice writing for a different audience 
  • Can be used for many subjects/content areas
Disadvantages:
  • Students aren’t able to explore other/possible perspectives
ELLs:
  • The student can explain each concept (role, audience, format, and topic) orally so you can check their understanding
  • Use role playing as a method for explaining the different aspects of RAFT writing
  • Students may decide on their own topic or the teacher may provide that element in advance
***sources: “RAFT | Classroo m Strategy.” Reading Rockets, 12 Jan. 2018, www.readingrockets.org/strategies/raft.

]]> 2018-04-25 02:48:24 UTC https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/255080963 OREO Method mcnull23 https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/255744495 Description: A strategy used to help students understand and write a persuasive essay. O (opinion), R (reason), E (example), O (opinion),
Advantages:
  • Organized way to write/students can understand the structure
  • This strategy is something the kids can relate to and makes it fun
  • Provides the students with a way to transfer their thoughts on paper
Disadvantages:
  • Students just may not get the concept or structure
ELLs:
  • Put together a packet that is a step by step process so they can take their writing step by step
***sources: “Graphic Organizers for Opinion Writing.” Scholastic, www.scholastic.com/teachers/blog-posts/genia-connell/graphic-organizers-opinion-writing/.


]]> 2018-04-26 17:02:21 UTC https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/255744495 Grand Conversation mcnull23 https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/256186604 Description: A child centered discussion about a certain story read that allows children to explore the big ideas, deepen their comprehension, and reflect on their feelings.
Advantages:
  • Child centered 
  • students gain a deeper understanding as they discuss their feelings and thoughts
  • Whole group (feeling of community)
Disadvantages:
  • Some students may not participate in the conversation 
  • Some students may not understand or feel comfortable enough with the story enough to join in 
ELLs:
  • Teacher monitors conversation very closely and explains things as needed in different terms
***sources:  Gunning, Thomas G. Creating Literacy Instruction: for All Students. Pearson, 2016.
]]> 2018-04-28 01:29:28 UTC https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/256186604 Think Alouds mcnull23 https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/256187206 Description: A strategy teachers use as they verbalize aloud while reading a selection orally. Their verbalizations include describing things they're doing as they read to monitor their comprehension. The purpose of the think-aloud strategy is to model for students how skilled readers construct meaning from a text.
Advantages:
  • Improves students’ comprehension
  • It teaches students to re-read a sentence, read ahead to clarify, and/or look for context clues to make sense of what they read
  • It slows down the reading process and allows students to monitor their understanding of a text
Disadvantages:
  • Some students may not understand/follow along
  • The pace the teacher is going needs to just right or some students could get lost
ELLs:
  • Have students do think-alouds in large or small groups; teacher and other students monitor and help
  • Ask students do think-alouds individually, and then compare with others
  • Complete, or have students complete, think-alouds orally
***sources: “Think-Alouds | Classroom Strategy.” Reading Rockets, 12 Jan. 2018, www.readingrockets.org/strategies/think_alouds.
EXAMPLE
]]> 2018-04-28 01:39:25 UTC https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/256187206 Think-Pair-Share mcnull23 https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/256188908 Description: Think-pair-share (TPS) is a collaborative learning strategy where students work together to solve a problem or answer a question about an assigned reading. First the students think on their own. Then, they pair up with a partner. Finally they share their thoughts with the partner they paired up with.
Advantage:
  • Students think individually before pairing up
  • Builds oral communication skills
  • It helps focus attention and engage students in comprehending the reading material
Disadvantage:
  • One student may be doing all of the talking
  • Some pairings may not be a good mix
  • Teacher could give too much or not enough time for sharing
ELLs: 
  • Be sensitive to learners' needs when creating pairs
  • Allow students to choose who will share with the whole group
***sources: “Think-Pair-Share | Classroom Strategy.” Reading Rockets, 30 Oct. 2017, www.readingrockets.org/strategies/think-pair-share.
]]> 2018-04-28 02:07:32 UTC https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/256188908 Elkonin Boxes mcnull23 https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/256190058 Description: Elkonin boxes build phonological awareness skills by segmenting words into individual sounds, or phonemes. The teacher shows an object or a picture of an object and draws a row of boxes, with one box for each sound in the name of the object. Then the teacher or child moves a marker into each box as the sound is pronounced.
Advantages:
  • In some cases different colored tokens may be used for consonants and vowels or just for each phoneme in the word
  • They teach students how to count the number of phonemes in the word (not always the number of letters)
  • They help students better understand the alphabetic principle in decoding and spelling.
Disadvantages:
  • Students may get confused when the number of phonemes in the word is not the same as the number of letters
  • A child may have difficulty sounding out/pronouncing words
ELLs:
  • use this strategy to meet each student's individualized needs (three boxes, four boxes, easier words, etc.)
***sources: “Elkonin Boxes | Classroom Strategy.” Reading Rockets, 12 Jan. 2018, www.readingrockets.org/strategies/—— Gunning, Thomas G. Creating Literacy Instruction: for All Students. Pearson, 2016.
]]> 2018-04-28 02:25:26 UTC https://padlet.com/mcnull23/zdzh6wq72nla/wish/256190058