Hi, When I worked in a Title 1 school we really struggled with this. I tried many things. Some worked, some didn't. Here are the things that worked for me:
I started receiving local newspapers every Thursday (apx. 25 copies). This was through NIE. Even though I was teaching 8th grade at the time, I had to show the students how to use the newspaper. I remember one student said, "Help me please. I don't know how to work this thing." (She was sitting there with the paper in a wad. I finally started stapling the paper together.) Each morning, I would come in early and make up a lesson plan. I also had "reflection sheets" that they kids filled out. I would ask them to read an article then answer higher-level thinking questions. I brought in lots and lots of picture books that would work in middle school. The kids loved them, and did not realize they were acquiring background knowledge. I showed relevant films (via video) that would build BK. I put up a new quote each day. We discussed this for about 5 minutes. What did it mean? Who was the person being quoted? Why would they say something like that? Was it true---in their (the kids) opinion? I taught them proverbs...lots and lots. We got penpals in other countries. We "adopted" a child and raised money to sponsor her. Mostly, however, I talked with them. . . about the world, history, cultures, people, on and on. Kim ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bill IVEY" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, July 02, 2007 8:47 PM Subject: [LIT] building background knowledge > Hi! > > In a free moment, I decided to click on a podcast by Kelly Gallagher at > Stenhouse. > http://www.stenhouse.com/gallagher.mp3 > It's short, just under four minutes long, and it's about him reflecting on > the year, and how he wants to improve for next year. He wants to focus on > getting his kids to do a lot more reading and writing in the real world - > newspapers, magazines, speeches, etc. He also speaks of his students' lack > of background knowledge and how that affects their comprehension. > > One thing he talks about is bringing in an article of the week. Does > anyone do this? > > What would be good ways of building background knowledge in our students? > > 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
