I have used the file folder lesson several times. I teach fourth grade. I actually took file folders, glued a book pocket that said "Trash" on the outside of it, and a blank book pocket on the inside. Then I laminated them. I made about 20 of them so I can reuse them each year and the students can have their own to actually add things to their "file cabinet." I also cut up lots of different color construction paper into very small strips.
I introduced the concept of schema being like a filing cabinet in your brain. Then I pulled out a nonfiction magazine article. I usually use one about pet iguanas. First, I tell them I have to decide what I'll be reading about. After I decide the article is about iguanas, I write "Iguanas" on the tab of the folder with a Vis-a-vis marker. We talk about how that file is kept in the drawer labeled "Animals" and how I have to sift through my files to locate this particular animal. I make a big deal about closing my eyes and reaching in my head to open the drawer and sift. Then I model activating my schema on iguanas by writing things I already know on strips of paper and putting them in the folder. I purposefully come up with some things that I know are not true. (For example, I say, "I have heard that iguanas often bite people's fingers off." Something I know is not true and will get the kids VERY interesting.) I don't put them in the book pocket in the folder. I tell them that pocket is only for proven knowledge and since I've never actually read anything about iguanas, I'm just placing it in the folder for now. Then I start reading the article. I stop after each paragraph and add to my schema by writing new pieces of information on strips of paper. These can go in the book pocket inside the folder because they are proven facts. If I read something that I have already written on a strip, I add that to the book pocket. If something that I have written is disproved, it goes into the trash pocket on the outside. After I finish reading, we talk about the strips of paper that are left in the folder but are not in the pocket. We discuss how these are things I know but are not proven facts and they just stay in there until I read something else. I go back and reread everything I have learned from the article. I then make a big deal about opening up my "Animals" drawer and putting the file back in. They then go and practice on their own using a nonfiction book of their choosing. They each have a file, strips of paper, and a Vis-a-vis marker to use during the activity. I also keep these things in a basket in my classroom library and tell them they can use this activity anytime they are reading if they need help activating my schema. I have actually had several kids do it during SSR. One thing I'm going to add this year because I think it has been the link that has been missing in my lesson is that I am going to find a fiction book to go along with the non-fiction text. (Which means I might not be able to use my iguana article.) On another day, I will pull out that book and we will decide what cabinet and file I need to look in to find my schema for that book and I will model the process all over again with the fiction book. I hope this will allow my kids to see it is not just important to make a new file but to continue to add and adjust them, as needed. This is one of my favorite lessons and every year I cannot wait to teach it. I would love to hear how you and your teammates adjust it and the outcome of your research! Good luck! Angela Hatley Almond Fourth Grade East Albemarle Elementary School "Mosaic: A Reading Comprehension Strategies Email Group" <[email protected]> writes: I > know there are some of you out there who have done Debbie Millers' file >folder lesson for teaching schema and connections. We are probably using >this >one for our next round of lesson study. What I am interested in hearing >from >all of you is how it has gone for you and what modifications you have >made, if >any, to help your kids get the idea of schema... >Jennifer > > _______________________________________________ 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.
