Bill, I can't believe I missed the whole discussion! Something came up a work and I had to totally focus on that--I didn't even get to print out the article!
I'd love to add to your thinking on helping kids with reading comprehension: Kylene Beers' book, When Kids Can't Read, What Teachers Can Do. About three years ago, a group of us from the lists formed a summer study group on this book. It was one of the best learning experiences I'd ever had and I highly recommend it. Kylene offers literally dozens of approaches that work with kids of all ages whether you're using independent reading, small group, or whole-class novels. An example of a techinique that I got from Kylene; teaching kids to reflect on what they've read by filling in the blanks of this sentence: "Somebody_____Wanted_____But_____So_______" For example, "Bud Wanted to Find His Mother But didn't know where to find her. So he ran away from the foster home and set out on his own." or "The librarian wanted to help Bud so she let him stay in the library and gave him her sandwich." One of the most helpful parts of the book is actually located on the back cover--a chart with all kind of strategies under the headings of "If kids can't do this, then...." a list of practical step-by-step activities follows to help build comprehension, vocabulary and even phonemic awareness for kids who need that. I can't recommend this enough, honestly. Mary On 2/3/07 5:52 AM, "Bill IVEY" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hi! > > First, we finally have snow covering our lawns for the first time this > winter. I'd been so focused just on getting snow, I'd forgotten how pretty > it is! > > Anyway, I had been thinking about our discussions of the NCTE article on > literacy, in particular about their suggestions on using technology to > help stimulate motivation, and on the importance of increasing students' > metacognitive skills. Thinking about my school in particular... > > We are all over incorporating technology into our classrooms; although > we've backed away from our original one-to-one laptop program due to > financial constraints, the kids spend a lot of time researching, writing, > revising, and collaborating on projects via the computer lab we do have. I > have a school-issued tablet PC, which is perfect for "Grammar with a > Giggle" and producing student-generated evaluation checklists, plans for > projects, and other collaborative documents. I haven't used it as much as > I could as a tool to teach and practice revision skills, but a lot of > one-on-one conferencing is probably compensating for that. > > Where we - I in particular - could use more guidance is in helping the > kids become more metacognitive - self-monitoring and using repair > strategies when their comprehension breaks down. Any good advice out there > on that point?! > > Thanks! > > Take care, > Bill Ivey > Stoneleigh-Burnham School > > > _______________________________________________ > The Literacy Workshop ListServ http://www.literacyworkshop.org > > To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to > http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/lit_literacyworkshop.org. > > Search the LIT archives at http://snipurl.com/LITArchive _______________________________________________ The Literacy Workshop ListServ http://www.literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/lit_literacyworkshop.org. Search the LIT archives at http://snipurl.com/LITArchive
