Power point Presentation: Expository Texts
I really liked this power point presentation because I am about to start a unit on text structures of informational text with my students, so many of these examples are some of the various topics I plan to teach over the next few weeks. It is very important for students to understand the physical aspect of the text in order for them to use it to their advantage. Understanding how the text is set up will allow them to guide themselves to understanding the topic. Information can be gained from the headings and pictures that go along with the topic. Many times this can be seen in a science or social studies text book but also in a non fiction text that is more leveled for the student.
I really liked the various signal words that were presented for each text structure. This is very helpful for students but can also be used to transfer to their writing. This power point provided a great step by step guide to teaching about the various organizational structures found within non fiction texts. Modeling along with guided practice and exposure to these structures are beneficial for students as they learn about the structures and how they are useful in comprehending the material.
I am really glad that this one of the first topics to learn about in the modules since I will be hitting on this topic with my own students. I think this power point provided a lot of great information that I can transfer into my own classroom lessons. I need to make sure I am making connections with text examples so students are able to comprehend the texts we are using for our unit.
Video: Strategies for Parents of Struggling Readers
This video had some great ideas! I have come across many parents that struggle to get their child to read at home or feel like they don't know how to help them get better at reading. Many parents can do these activities at home to help their child improve their reading skills. Some of these activities are for more primary aged students but would work with students that still struggle with decoding in the upper grades.
The consonant vowel nonsense game is a great way to practice without students thinking they are learning. The fluency activity that was presented in the video is a really good way for students to practice- even in 5th grade. I have many students that struggle with their fluency which then negatively effects their comprehension. I liked the vocabulary sketch idea- this would even be great for content area vocabulary. I do summary pictures for each unit we study in social studies- students are given a short summary to glue into their note book and then they draw a picture out to the side. I think allowing students to make picture connections helps them to visualize the information or meaning of words and thus increasing comprehension and vocabulary acquisition.
Vacca Chapter 14:
My school has been back and forth with using textbooks in the classroom. Many schools in my district have taken away some textbooks and require teachers to teach without them and the reasoning behind it is that many of the textbooks are too difficult for students to understand. However, as I read parts of this chapter I realized that we are doing our students a dis service by not allowing them to be exposed to and learn from the textbooks if only to learn how to use text and organizational structure to their advantage.
I liked how this chapter mentioned using trade books to enhance the learning of various content area topics that are very dry within a textbook. My school pushes using literature across the curriculum and integrating as much as possible. I try to use various trade books for each unit of study so that I can go back to them throughout the year. I thought the various strategies that were presented to help students before, during, and after the text such as previewing, anticipation guides, and graphic organizers were all beneficial for students and leads them to use inquiry to help them locate other information about the topic and allow them the chance to collaborate with their peers in groups.
Trip to Hawaii Videos:
I really like how the video flowed well into the discussion graphic organizers. I use graphic organizers with my students but don't have a wide variety to use with them. I typically use them with content area subjects like science, social studies, and writing and really need to use them more with the teaching of reading and the structure of text.
I have never heard about Guide-O-Rama. I think this is a great way to set up a story for students. Using vocabulary preview techniques and exercises along the way during a read a loud are a great way for students to expand their vocabulary and also helps the ESOL and SpEd students to become familiar with various vocabulary words that are important for comprehension. I really liked how the conclusion to this Hawaii trip series concluded with a reading and writing activity that used many skills that can be integrated throughout a workshop model.
Fry's Readability Test
This was very interesting to read about as I have never heard of this before. We are encouraged to use real articles for kids that integrate content into our reading lesson and so many times it is difficult to determine if the article is appropriate for my students' reading and grade level. I will have to try this the next time I pull an article to use for close reading.
Irwin Davis Readability Test
I have never heard of this test before either. I think it is a great tool to use just like the Fry's test. I like that is is simple with a checklist. It doesn't seem like it would take a lot of time to complete or analyze.
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