Module 1: Readings Response

Struggling Readers Video

This video discussed the importance of helping students who are struggling readers and giving suggestions to help students grow and develop in reading. Many great ideas were presented that I am excited to use in my classroom. For phonological awareness, the nonsense word game is a great activity that will grab students’ attention. Students will not feel that they are learning, but just playing a game. The vocabulary sketch was also a great idea. I teach prek and I would love to use this as large group activity or even a small group activity to begin helping my students develop strategies to tackle unknown words. The sundae organizer is my favorite. This visual gives students a fun and fresh way to look at the parts of the story.

Expository Texts PowerPoint

Students often have trouble understanding expository texts because they are unable to identify the text structure. This PowerPoint gave specific examples of how to use graphic organizers to help students identify the structure and gain understanding, as well as, how to help students activate their prior knowledge before reading. Each of the graphic organizers addressed the text structure appropriately and could be used in any grade whether it is teacher lead, independent, or partner work. I am excited to use graphic organizers more in my own classroom. Most of the organizers I will be using will have to be completed in the large group setting as my students cannot write, but I feel that they will still gain the understanding by seeing the visual as I am completing it and thinking aloud.

Fry’s Readability test and Irwin-Davis readability test

I am familiar with the Fry’s readability test as I was asked to complete one in my bachelors program years ago. I have not used it since then, but I see how helpful it can be when deciding if a text is appropriate for reading in your classroom. I have never heard of the Irwin-Davis readability test until this class, but the checklist seems really simple to complete and then find the results.

Vacca Chapter 14

Vacca Chapter 14 was really helpful in summing up how to use expository texts in the classroom. Just as the book suggested, I believe that trade books are an amazing addition to text and curriculum. Trade books give students a more in-depth look into the topic and most of the books are very attention grabbing and interesting to students. They also allow for students of all levels to be reached which I love. Trade books are great for differentiation as many of them come in different levels on the same or similar topic. I also love the suggestion of using the internet as an extension of expository texts. My students love every chance they can get to be on the computer so what a great way to grab their attention and get them more interested in the topic of an expository text then using the internet to research or visit selected sites from the  teacher. Ideas I have seen for this includes online field trips and glogsters.



Comments

  1. UnknownJanuary 14, 2014 at 1:01 PM

    Shawnee,
    I really enjoyed reading your responses and ideas from the first module. I really think that something like the nonsense game would be good for your children who are ESOL and learning more phonics! I think it sounds like fun. I was wondering about expository texts in your classroom, do you use them? I do see that students struggle with these texts because of the text layout. This allows us to have lessons around getting to know the text. I can imagine as a pre-k teacher you do a lot of book walks and looking through books and the way they are set up.

    In chapter 14 I also liked when they talked about using technology to help excite students about various texts. I try to use technology in my classroom as much as I can so that the students are familiar with seeing text on a screen. I worry that one day text on screen will be all that we have!

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  2. UnknownJanuary 15, 2014 at 6:48 PM

    You wrote a wonderful blog posting, Shawnee!
    I too loved the video presentation which detailed five different activities that could be completed with students. I know that since we both teach younger students, we know the importance of phonological awareness and vocabulary acquisition. I took some notes for myself during the video on my "lesson ideas" notepad I keep so that I could remember then when I went to write my lessons for next week. I can remember learning about the Fry's Readability Test; however, unlike you I do not believe I have ever completed one. Although, I think the Checklist would be easier, especially for teachers like you and I who have books that are not 100 words in length. Expository tests are wonderful in the classroom, my students have loved using them. We just finished a writing unit called, “looking closely” in which the students wrote as if they were scientist. Therefore, we used lots of expository non-fiction books during our read aloud times. You referenced in your post taking virtual field trips, have you ever taken one with your students?

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  3. Shawnee KnottJanuary 31, 2014 at 5:58 PM

    I have not taken my students on a virtual field trip, but I do want to try to do it sometime. I need to do some research and see what is out there for younger age groups.

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