Learning Module 10

EDLL 5341/EDLL 5344

Finding a Stopping Point in Fountas & Pinnell’s and Gallagher’s Books

The Role of Engagement in Teaching ReadingSocratic Circles as a Way to Deepen Student Engagement and Learning with Texts

Overview

As we conclude reading Fountas and Pinnell’s and Gallagher’s books, I would like you to identify three key or “take-away” ideas from the books and email them to me.

Bringing Closure to Deeper Reading and Guiding Readers and Writers

How do you know if your students are engaged in reading tasks? Please review the websites linked to this learning module.

How can you foster engagement with reading? Please read the attached document titled “Engagement in Reading: Lessons Learned from Three PISA

Countries”

The Role of Engagement in Teaching Reading

Who was Socrates?

Athenian sculptor, philosopher and teacher who was sentenced to death for poisoning the minds of Athen’s youth. He gave his life to the pursuit of truth.

The Socratic Method

The Socratic method is a form of inquiry and debate between individuals with opposing viewpoints based on asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking and to illuminate ideas or seek “truth.”

It is a dialectical method, often involving an oppositional discussion in which the defense of one point of view is pitted against the defense of another.

Here’s a student’s introduction to the Socratic Method:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sM1qT-jzP5s

The Socratic Method

(1) Write the words to the National Anthem of the United States

(2) Write a question about the words to the National Anthem or the process you went through of writing the words to the National Anthem.

(3) Share your question.(4) Respond to someone’s specific question.

Socratic Circle (An example of a technique designed to encourage the Socratic method and foster student engagement)This technique can be conducted as one whole class circle activity or an inner and outer circle activity:

(1)Read the words to the National Anthem of the United States.

(2)Write one question about the words to the National Anthem.

(3)Share your question.(4)Respond to someone’s specific question.

Socratic Circle cont.

(1) View Jimi Hendrix’ performance of the National Anthem.http://www.myvideo.de/watch/5195282/Jimi_Hendrix_Star_Spangled_Banner_at_Woodstock_1969

(2) View Roseanne Barr’s performance of the National Anthem.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru2BYd3c90w

(3) Compare these interpretations of the National Anthem to your own.

(4) Write one question about your comparison of these interpretations of the National Anthem to your own.

(5) Share your question.

(6) Respond to someone’s specific question.

Socratic Circle cont.

(1)What did we do as learners/readers/writers in this process?

(2)What did you learn about literacy through this process?

Process the Activity:

Example of a Socratic Circle:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cxd__jjZI8o

Question: What literacy pedagogy theories from our readings did this activity connect to?

Answer:Questioning as a way to develop metacognitive awareness

about reading processes and comprehension of a text (Beginning, Middle, End)

Writing as a tool for thinking/learning about a topic

Discussion as a way to foster student engagement

Multiple texts as a way to cultivate intertextual connections, comprehension, and differentiation

Collaboration/Peer mediated learning as a way to foster engagement and motivation