Content Area Literacy

A Rationale

Assumptions & Misconceptions

• Students learn to read in K-3• Students have prior knowledge for content

texts• Text comprehension mirrors narrative

reading

Multiple Literacies

Discipline Sub-Cultures

Technical Vocabulary

Textbooks

• Assume prior knowledge

• Feature technical vocabulary

• Often disconnected from local funds of knowledge

General Vocabulary

The Boat in the Basement

A man was building a boat in his basement. When he had finished the the boot, he discovered that it was too big to go though the door. So he had to take the boat a part to get it out. He should of planned ahead.

Polydypsia & Polyuria

The six year old was brought in with polydypsia and polyuria. It is anorectic. After the work-up, it was found to have toxic neutrophis, a left shift.

Translation

A six year old dog was brought in to the vet. The dog had been drinking a lot of water and urinating frequently. It is not eating. After the lab tests it was found to have an increase in white blood cells caused by an infection. Immature cells are also being pumped out due to infection.

Content Texts

• Technical Vocabulary (write & exchange a word in your field or hobby with a colleague)

• Specialized Expository Text Structures• Specialized Syntax & Notation Systems• Underlying Theories• Assumption of Prior Knowledge

Polysyllabic Morphemes

Example

See if you can write a definition or synonym for the 2 words that follow:

Eggrails: _______________________

Mushburgers: ___________________

Mushburgers

She preferred a surfboard with EGGRAILS for slow, sloppy waves. A board with rounded edges was ideally suited to this afternoon’s conditions. The wind was blowing onshore, creating bumpy MUSHBURGERS.

Content Literacy Definition

A cognitive and social practice involving the ability and desire to read, comprehend, critique, and write about multiple forms of print including: Textbooks, novels, magazines, Internet material, CD-ROMS, ads, and other sociotechnical sign systems conveying information, emotional content, and ideas to be considered from a critical stance.

NetGeners

Texts in New Times

• MULTIPLE TEXTS– Media texts

– Youth culture texts

– Broad definition of texts

– Multimodal texts that combine visual & auditory elements

Instructional Recommendations

• Present content & processes concurrently

• Provide guidance before, during, & after reading

• Use all language & media process to enhance students’ learning

• Use small groups

• Use technology to promote concept learning

Programmatic Recommendations

• Reading is developmental across levels

• Staff development should involve a combination of:

- content area teacher awareness of scaffolding & metacognitive strategies

- students’ development of metacognitive strategies (e.g. in an enrichment program)

References

• Bean, T. W., Readence, J. E., & Baldwin, R. S. (2008). Content area literacy: An integrated approach (9th ed.). Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt.

• Bean, T. W. (2010). Adolescent learning in the 21st century. Huntington Beach, CA: Shell Education