TEMS520

This article focused on a study done in a second grade private school over a four week period. Two different instructional practices were implemented by the researcher (who was also the teacher), and observations, focus groups with students, assignment evaluations, as well as student surveys were used to collect data. The instructional practices were student-centered instructional model and skills-based instructional model. The student-based instructional model focuses on student interest in reading, small groups and personal reading time, and student driven goals with their reading. I love the idea of student -centered instructional methods in the classroom, especially in an elementary setting when student attitudes towards reading are formed and develop into life long habits. In the article, students expressed feeling better when they were allowed to make choices about the reading that they do. Observations also showed that when students were forced to read aloud the students who were struggling mouthed the words and were too intimidated to participate. Also, the advanced readers were disinterested in the reading that was given by the teacher, as they had moved beyond it. If educators expect to create enthusiastic and self directed readers, then we must allow them to feel empowered by the reading they do in the classroom. I did an article previously on given boys choices in what they read, and this practice seems to ring true in this article as well. Allowing students to read in smaller groups with peers at their reading level allows for students to gain self esteem that is so important when moving forward with their reading education.

"With this strategy students will have a chance to: remember, understand, analyze, evaluate, and create. Students work in teams of four to answer four questions about an article they read, a chapter from a novel, or a video they just watched (or whatever you want to assess). After careful analysis of their teammate's work, students will come up with a summary of each question to share with the class."

This is an excellent (and fun!) reading comprehension activity!

"Thinking Maps, developed by Dr. David Hyerle, are visual teaching tools that foster and encourage lifelong learning. They are based on a simple yet profound insight: The one common instructional thread that binds together all teachers, from pre-kindergarten through postgraduate, is that they all teach the same thought processes."

Graphic organizers is our topic for Monday, March 12.

Links to questioning resources

This wiki has lots of resources including teaching ideas as well as links to online GO creators.

Free online concept map maker.

Collection of resources related to CCSS. Includes links to various state Common Core sites as well as instruction strategy sites.

Here is another Symbaloo collection!

"Speakaboos is an educational resource for the classroom and home. Our award-winning videos teach reading skills, life lessons, and creativity in a fun and safe environment. Each story comes to life with educational worksheets, activities, and games. Speakaboos timeless tales are ideal for kids of any age."

Stories read by authors and celebrities, with pictures from the books.

I read this article with the idea that I would do a graphic organizer, except once I got started I realized that this held some important information, but I kept getting confused with the layout of the article - i.e. finding what were the big points and the sub points. So, I decided to use Livebinders.com to find a way to organize it, visually, for myself and anyone else who wanted to take a peek. This is the website for the original article: http://www.prel.org/products/re_/ES0419.htm This is the website for my livebinder: http://www.livebinders.com/play/play_or_edit?id=322029