In Wilhelm's new book on Inquiry, he talks about a similar strategy when working with an inquiry unit in language arts. He presents kids with a series of potentially provacative quotes and has kids agree or disagree. The purpose is to get kids thinking in relationship to theme and give teacher a chance to get a feel for the class, for the kids.
Those of you using KWL charts may want to take a serious look ot the first chapter (I would say the entire book, great book) of Tony Stead's new book on reading. His RAN strategy offers so much more that the KWL and I have been demoing for teachers K-12 and the reaction i universally positive. Lori On Mon, 8 Jan 2007 06:35:48 EST , [EMAIL PROTECTED] sent: >It really is just what it says. The teacher writes sentences about the >topic the kids will be studying...for example, before we began our science >unit >on the sun and moon I wrote ten "facts" that I know will be important >concepts >... but the catch is some of the facts I write are false and some are true. >The kids must access their prior knowledge and make connections to help them >guess if they think the fact is true or false. >Then we review each sentence.... they must answer with a "two-fisted reply " >(a Jim Cunningham quote) That means they tell their guess plus why they >guessed that way. Because it is a guessing game, and because students review >answers with their schema lots of important learning happens even before you >read >a single word in the text. >It is a great way to get conversations and schema started as well as an easy >structure to help kids confirm or modify thinking... by listening to the >observations and memories of others. Because it is guessing the pressure is >off. >My first graders like this so much more than a K-W-L chart even though it >essentially does the same thing. >There's lots of modifications too. Kids can guess in partners, at power >tables etc. >then as the unit progresses and we begin reading and learning the true >facts, kids correct their guesses and write the text page, draw the >illustration, >note the speaker who helped them modify or confirm their thinking. >Four Blocks is filled with activities that demonstrate the comprehension >strategies. Look on the internet for more... I have been using the 4 blocks >framework for years now. It works with any text, in any curriculum area, and >combines easily with any other approach or guru. >_______________________________________________ >Mosaic mailing list >[email protected] >To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to >http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/ mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. > >Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive. > _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
