a balanced approach to literacy: building readers in the content areas
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A Balanced Approach to Literacy: Building Readers in the Content Areas. TELLAS Summer Institute Shannon Trejo Principal, Milstead Middle School Pasadena ISD. Why Consider a Change?. A small group of committed people can change the world; and indeed, it’s the only thing that ever does. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
A Balanced Approach to Literacy: Building Readers
in the Content Areas
TELLAS Summer InstituteShannon Trejo
Principal, Milstead Middle School Pasadena ISD
A small group of committed people can change the world; and
indeed, it’s the only thing that ever does.
-Margaret Mead
Why Consider a Change?
Did You Know?
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and
over again and expecting different
results."
Albert Einstein
Comprehension is not increasing, but students are expected to read complex, technical material in order to be successful in the workforce.
Students in the U.S. are scoring lower than students in other comparable nations. This is especially evident in understanding discipline-specific content.
There continues to be an achievement gap.
Teachers are not prepared to teach literacy strategies that are necessary for students’ comprehension of content-specific text.
There is little empirical data to support some of the programs that are being implemented within many of the secondary schools.
RAND 2002 – Reading Study Group Excerpts
What does the research say?
All Classrooms need… Access to a variety of reading material Skill building instruction that creates an interest
in more complex reading material. Highly quality assessments that indicate
weaknesses and strengths of students and the professional learning needs of teachers.
Highly skilled teachers who model and explicitly teach reading comprehension and study strategies across content areas.
Reading specialists who apply explicit instructional strategies for the struggling reader.
How do we find the answers?
4 key Components Gradual Release Workshop Approach (Reading,
Writing and Word Study) Rigorous and Relevant Teacher is the most important
element!
What is a Balanced Approach to Literacy?
Gradual Release Model
Four kinds of reading/writing and Four levels of support.
TO
WITH
BY
An organized set of language and literary experiences (typically, a mini-lesson, variety of grouping (small, large, individual,
conferring and sharing with peers/teacher) designed to help students to become more effective readers and writers in any
content area.
What is a Workshop Approach?
Workshop Approach for the Content Areas
Translate effective instruction into a classroom framework
Immersion of print of every
genre
Large blocks of time for
extended reading and
writing about content area
topics
Accessible Resources including:
organized books baskets, charts,
computers, pens, clipboards,
sticky notes, journals,
notebooks, reference materials
Opportunities for readers to read
and practice strategies in self
selected text that they are able to read.
Continuing opportunities for teacher and peer
response
Explicit Instruction in
Reading Strategies that
facilitates greater access to
content objectives.
Components of Integrated LiteracyReading Workshop
Read Aloud, Think Aloud
Shared ReadingGuided Reading
Independent ReadingReader’s
Notebooks and Response JournalsLiterature Circles
Inquiry Circles/Collaboratio
ns
Writing Workshop
Writer’s TalksInteractive/Shared
WritingGuided WritingIndependent
WritingWriter’s Notebooks
InvestigationsPoetry
Word Work
Phonological Awareness (Words
and Sounds)Orthographic
Awareness (Symbols within a writing
system)Semantics
(Derivation of Meaning)
Syntax (Structure of Language and
Grammar)Vocabulary Instruction
Timeline for Training and Implementation
Year 1 •Training on Gradual Release•Training on Components of Integrated Literacy
Year 2 •Create Non Negotiable School Wide Expectations for Implementation•Provide Coaching Model to support Implementation
Year 3•Increase Non Negotiable List for School Wide Expectations and Deepen level of proficiency with year 2 strategies•Begin Integrated Planning for Concept Based Instruction•Continue Coaching Model
Years 4-5 •Data Analysis, Surveys and Improvement Cycle
Navigating Non Fiction using Inferencing
Sample Activity – The Big Fitz
At 211 degrees, water is hot…
At 212 degrees,
IT BOILS!!
212° - The Extra Degree
Every effort must be made in childhood to
teach the young to use their own minds. For one thing is sure; If they don’t make up
their own minds, someone else will do it
for them.
Eleanor Roosevelt