Bonita DeAmicis
Tue, 31 Jul 2007 09:12:32 -0700
Hi all, Another great chapter. It was interesting to me that Stephanie and Anne put these two strategies together in one chapter, but as I read on it made sense to link visualizing with inferring. So much of our inference comes from the author using "show don't tell" writing tactics that should lead to inference. Again, I am thrilled with the combination of nonfiction and fiction lessons that address the different ways these strategies are accessed depending on the reading material.
i was reminded again of that great formula background knowledge + text evidence leads to inference. I like the way the authors recommended using a chart to list things we know matched with things the text says to show how together these lead to inference. I will use that chart this year in my inference instruction. I also liked the lesson that had students list their prictions and inferencees and put a + if the book answers their prediction and a - if it does not. The + statements would then be a type of inference called prediction, and the - statetments would be purely inference--nice way to see the differences and similarities. One question that haunted me (and has haunted me) is what about when students get inaccurate mental pictures? Sometimes an inaccurate mental picture (one that is formed too quickly or when some reading is missed) can lead to misunderstanding later in a story or misunderstanding a nonfiction concept (like in cell science). one techniques we have used is to pick passages that do require the formation of a mental picture (like the introduction of a character or setting or the explaining of a science process) and to have students draw the picture then reread the text for details to see if they have accurately represented the scene. I do not want to be belaboring mental images, but at the same time I want students to recognize the value of making an accurate mental picture (or changing their mental picture as the writing provides more information). Any ideas or thoughts on this? :)Bonita _______________________________________________ Stw2chat mailing list Stw2chat@literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/stw2chat_literacyworkshop.org. Search the STW2 Chat Archives at http://snipurl.com/stw2archives.