As an educator, it is also extremely important that we continue to keep our education current. One way to help stay current with research is by reading professional books. When selecting which books to read it is important to consider the research, publisher, and authors related experiences. To enhance my current understanding of comprehension, I have recently read the book The Comprehension Experience: Engaging Readers Through Effective Inquiry and Discussion (2011) written by W. Dorsey Hammond and Denise D. Nessel.
In this book, the authors focus on the power of inquiry and its positive effects on comprehension. The authors suggest that we should not squash our students natural desire to investigate through the over exhalations of comprehension strategies. But rather, we should encourage students natural desire to discover by focusing on predicting and hypothesizing (narrative and informational texts). They recommend these can be done by focusing on questioning and probing students thinking.
After reading this text, I got some great ideas about how to encourage and enhances students natural desires to questions and discovers as they read. Several ideas include: thinking ahead and bringing up questions (related to the reading) before reading, pausing and discussing what has been learned or still needs to be learned while reading, and discussing vocabulary/further questions after reading.
Although I agree with focusing on predicting and hypothesizing to increase comprehension and desire to discover, I also believe there are times and places where explicit comprehension needs to be taught. Therefore, in my classroom I will work to find a balance between teaching comprehension strategies and relying on students natural desires to question and discover.
Overall, reading this text helped expand my understanding of how students comprehend/learn to comprehend. I appreciated the insight Hammond and Nessel shared with me. Reading this text encourages me to continue reading professional texts and discussing with other educators
Friday, November 23, 2012
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Poetry
Incorporating Poetry into the Classroom
Poetry comes in many shapes and forms. Usually, literature in this genre focuses on rhythm, verse, prose, symbolism, and metaphors as a way of explaining and giving new meaning. Often, poetry is characterized by the unique arrangement of language emphasizing sound and meaning. Poetry is often a fun way to bring literature to life. Easily dramatized and emotionally intensified, poetry can become very appealing to young readers. Poetry can be both entertaining to read and write. Often there is a genre that everyone can connect too. With rhythmic patterns, poetry can also be a great tool for building fluency and prosody. Overall, this genre is a great and important one to include in the classroom. However, one must be particular when selecting what poetry to incorporate into the classroom and into instruction. A few important ideas to consider include:
Witness (2003) Karen Heese
According to accelerated reading point system ATOS and the CCSS text complexity grade span level, this book is considered a grade level reading for 4th and 5th graders. However, with consideration of content and the amount of characters playing key roles in this text, I would consider it more appropriate for 6th-8th graders. However, if I were to use this book as a read aloud (perhaps with a lot of supporting discussion over the racial conflicts and characters in the story) I might use it with 5th and 6th graders. As previously mentioned, deep and tension filled themes are extremely prominent in this text. With focus on racial tension between KKK supporters, opponents, and victims much discussion about prejudice and tolerance can and should be brought up in class. It would also be helpful to pair this book up with several nonfiction texts about the KKK and other happenings during this time frame. The tension in to book is developed through the thoughts of many different characters. With these, the author sets the book up in a ways that encourages us to make connections. The poetic language used in this book also greatly emphasizes and portrays the happenings in this book. Overall, this book can easily be linked to help students better understand the society they live in today. By focusing on the racial tension in the past, they should be encouraged to examine current local tension in their own societies.
Emma Dilemma (2011) written by Kristine O'Connell George illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
With consideration of ATOS level and the CCSS text complexity measure, this book is deemed an appropriate read for students in grade spans 2-3. However, if I were to use this book as a read aloud, I believe it could also be appropriate for a younger audience of kindergarten or first graders. With discussion students should be able to pick up on the major themes of sibling relationships, love, guilt, and forgiveness presented throughout the poems in this book. Through these poems, the author does a great job of portraying emotions and humor with precise language. Discussion about how we should treat friends, family, and people in general can definitely be focused on with this text. These conversations can help students better understand why and how to be supportive and forgiving people.
Poetry comes in many shapes and forms. Usually, literature in this genre focuses on rhythm, verse, prose, symbolism, and metaphors as a way of explaining and giving new meaning. Often, poetry is characterized by the unique arrangement of language emphasizing sound and meaning. Poetry is often a fun way to bring literature to life. Easily dramatized and emotionally intensified, poetry can become very appealing to young readers. Poetry can be both entertaining to read and write. Often there is a genre that everyone can connect too. With rhythmic patterns, poetry can also be a great tool for building fluency and prosody. Overall, this genre is a great and important one to include in the classroom. However, one must be particular when selecting what poetry to incorporate into the classroom and into instruction. A few important ideas to consider include:
- Do I provide a variety of poetry types?
- Is the poetry I select recommended (has it won any honors/awards)?
- Are the pieces unbiased?
- Do I have multicultural poetry?
- Am I incorporating poetry across content areas/disciplines?
- Am I presenting poetry in a positive light?
- Am I providing support for comprehension?
Witness (2003) Karen Heese
According to accelerated reading point system ATOS and the CCSS text complexity grade span level, this book is considered a grade level reading for 4th and 5th graders. However, with consideration of content and the amount of characters playing key roles in this text, I would consider it more appropriate for 6th-8th graders. However, if I were to use this book as a read aloud (perhaps with a lot of supporting discussion over the racial conflicts and characters in the story) I might use it with 5th and 6th graders. As previously mentioned, deep and tension filled themes are extremely prominent in this text. With focus on racial tension between KKK supporters, opponents, and victims much discussion about prejudice and tolerance can and should be brought up in class. It would also be helpful to pair this book up with several nonfiction texts about the KKK and other happenings during this time frame. The tension in to book is developed through the thoughts of many different characters. With these, the author sets the book up in a ways that encourages us to make connections. The poetic language used in this book also greatly emphasizes and portrays the happenings in this book. Overall, this book can easily be linked to help students better understand the society they live in today. By focusing on the racial tension in the past, they should be encouraged to examine current local tension in their own societies.
Emma Dilemma (2011) written by Kristine O'Connell George illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
With consideration of ATOS level and the CCSS text complexity measure, this book is deemed an appropriate read for students in grade spans 2-3. However, if I were to use this book as a read aloud, I believe it could also be appropriate for a younger audience of kindergarten or first graders. With discussion students should be able to pick up on the major themes of sibling relationships, love, guilt, and forgiveness presented throughout the poems in this book. Through these poems, the author does a great job of portraying emotions and humor with precise language. Discussion about how we should treat friends, family, and people in general can definitely be focused on with this text. These conversations can help students better understand why and how to be supportive and forgiving people.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Illustrated Story and Picture Books
Be Selective!
Picture books are easy to find! They come in all genres and all reading levels. They are also great additions to any classroom. With dynamic illustrations, these books provide a strong visual experience which tell or enhance a story. These texts can greatly increase student comprehension and can be used to enhance learning for all students. However, when adding books of this genre to your classroom, it is extremely important to be selective and look for quality illustrated stories and picture books. Great recommendations can be found from book award lists including: Caldecott Medal, Golden Kite Award, and Givemy Award. Other considerations to take into consideration include:
Examples of Quality
Dave the Potter (2010) written by Laban Carrick Hill illustrated by Bryan Collier
According to Lexile measures and CCSS text complexity grade level span, the language in this book is suited for 9th-10th graders. However, with consideration of the visuals and descriptions aiding comprehension with this book, I would consider this book an appropriate read aloud for students in grades 1st-3rd. With themes of slavery, African American hardships, perseverance, and poetic expression, this book illustrates the life of Dave. With vivid and descriptive language, Hill really helps us visualize the characters and the work going on in the story. Illustrator Collier also beautifully describes the process the character goes through in creating his pottery. The intricate relationship between the language and illustrations of this book greatly enhance the story of Dave. Overall, with focus on slavery, this story can help students examine the issues of slavery and how some slaves dealt with it. Discussion and research should be encouraged in order to enhance understanding and compassion toward the events which took place.
Grandpa Green (2011) written and illustrated by Lane Smith
With consideration of Lexile measure and CCSS text complexity measure, this book is appropriate for 1st-2nd grade readers. If using this book as a read aloud, I would say it could easily be used in classrooms K-3. Big underlying themes in this book include relationships between old and young, appreciation/respect for elders, and artistic expression. When using this text in the classroom, it is important that students have access to the descriptive illustrations. These illustrations tell just as much if not more of the story than the words do. Overall, this book would be great to use if focusing on and bringing about an appreciation/respect/understanding of elders. For this book, discussion about relationships, research about artistic expression, and personal research/interviews with elders would help students better understand and learn from this book.
Picture books are easy to find! They come in all genres and all reading levels. They are also great additions to any classroom. With dynamic illustrations, these books provide a strong visual experience which tell or enhance a story. These texts can greatly increase student comprehension and can be used to enhance learning for all students. However, when adding books of this genre to your classroom, it is extremely important to be selective and look for quality illustrated stories and picture books. Great recommendations can be found from book award lists including: Caldecott Medal, Golden Kite Award, and Givemy Award. Other considerations to take into consideration include:
- Connection to content
- Enhance understanding of content
- Use as an anchor text for comprehension
- Teaching life lessons
- Books you enjoyed as a child
- Effective use for ELLs
- Multicultural/ethnicity
- Life connections
Examples of Quality
Dave the Potter (2010) written by Laban Carrick Hill illustrated by Bryan Collier
According to Lexile measures and CCSS text complexity grade level span, the language in this book is suited for 9th-10th graders. However, with consideration of the visuals and descriptions aiding comprehension with this book, I would consider this book an appropriate read aloud for students in grades 1st-3rd. With themes of slavery, African American hardships, perseverance, and poetic expression, this book illustrates the life of Dave. With vivid and descriptive language, Hill really helps us visualize the characters and the work going on in the story. Illustrator Collier also beautifully describes the process the character goes through in creating his pottery. The intricate relationship between the language and illustrations of this book greatly enhance the story of Dave. Overall, with focus on slavery, this story can help students examine the issues of slavery and how some slaves dealt with it. Discussion and research should be encouraged in order to enhance understanding and compassion toward the events which took place.
Grandpa Green (2011) written and illustrated by Lane Smith
With consideration of Lexile measure and CCSS text complexity measure, this book is appropriate for 1st-2nd grade readers. If using this book as a read aloud, I would say it could easily be used in classrooms K-3. Big underlying themes in this book include relationships between old and young, appreciation/respect for elders, and artistic expression. When using this text in the classroom, it is important that students have access to the descriptive illustrations. These illustrations tell just as much if not more of the story than the words do. Overall, this book would be great to use if focusing on and bringing about an appreciation/respect/understanding of elders. For this book, discussion about relationships, research about artistic expression, and personal research/interviews with elders would help students better understand and learn from this book.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)