When teaching reading in the
younger grades it is obvious that we need to assist students during reading
time. Teachers sometimes over look this skill when integrating reading into the
content areas. When students begin reading to learn instead of learning to read
we need to teach them what to do with this knowledge. Students can read a
paragraph fluently but then forget everything an hour later because they never
did anything with that knowledge. If students are not actively making
connections and organizing information as they are reading then they are not
learning. Even as an adult I am guilty
of spacing out during reading and not comprehending what I am learning. As
teachers we need to teach students several strategies to actively connect with
the text as well as know when they are no longer focused.
One reading strategy that really
stuck out to me is reciprocal teaching. Reciprocal teaching is a verbal
strategy where students and teachers work together to understand text. The
teacher assigns a passage of reading then asks students to help summarize the
paragraph and then answer thought provoking questions. As the teacher uses this strategy they can
release power to the students. Students are able to completely summarize and
ask questions to their peers. This is a great teaching strategy because it
models the thought process behind reading and synthesizing information.
Another strategy I really like is
the jot chart. A jot chart can have different sections and columns depending on
the topic. One example would be math or science, students can organize facts,
pictures, and vocabulary in a way easy to study. I believe that this makes
students responsible for their own learning. They can organize the information
that makes sense to them and what they feel is important. Students can make connections from personal
experience while also linking the information within the text in a way that
helps them.
When using these strategies it is
important to understand your students’ level of independence so that they can
be successful. Do you believe that there
is a level of appropriateness or with scaffolding all strategies are possible?
2 comments:
Great Post! I also liked the jot chart. I feel that when teachers can use activities to help students organize information relating to the lesson students are able to process information and be more engaged in the lesson. I feel this is a good source for students to use to study especially since they are filling in the information from the lesson.
Stacy- I like the ideal of scaffolding the attached site gives good information on scaffolding.
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/scaffolding-lessons-six-strategies-rebecca-alber
I think one of the most important things to recognize here is that many of the techniques are student centered.
As a teacher with a few lower level learners, I like the ability to allow students some time to work on their own. This would allow me a chance to work with my LLL's in a small group setting. I can do more for the LLL's if I can help control the situation.
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