The Common Core State Standards focus on increasing text complexity. What does that mean? How can we address that in the classroom?
The Common Core State Standards are one of the hottest topics in education today, especially since they are designed to increase rigor in the classroom. Increasing text complexity, or the level of text students are expected to understand is embedded in the standards. It's important to keep in mind that text does not mean only books. The CCSS emphasize non-fiction, informational text materials that will prepare students for college and the workforce.
Showing posts with label content literacy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label content literacy. Show all posts
Monday, March 12, 2012
The Common Core State Standards and Text Complexity
I'm writing a new series of blogs over at Suite 101. The newest one is on the increased emphasis in the Common Core State Standards and text complexity.Be sure to check it out!
Friday, March 2, 2012
Engaging Strategies for Research
Missy Miles uses content literacy in her research activities:
"For biographies, my students dress like their person and give a speech about themselves. When we do colonial research, they write a historical fiction picture book to retell the story of the colony they research. We play “Will the Real Christopher Columbus Please Stand Up” and hold an “Ole Winfrey” show for Spanish conquistadors."
Reading, writing, speaking, and listening combine to help students bring research to life. How do you incorporate literacy and technology to bring research to life?
"For biographies, my students dress like their person and give a speech about themselves. When we do colonial research, they write a historical fiction picture book to retell the story of the colony they research. We play “Will the Real Christopher Columbus Please Stand Up” and hold an “Ole Winfrey” show for Spanish conquistadors."
Reading, writing, speaking, and listening combine to help students bring research to life. How do you incorporate literacy and technology to bring research to life?
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Focusing on Comprehension
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How do you use reading, writing, speaking, and listening to teach other subjects? Reading a section out of our social studies textbook or an article about a current event was a common activity in my classroom. However, if I asked students to read silently prior to a class discussion, they seemed to struggle and lack focus. I found it was important to give them a structure prior to reading. Sometimes I gave them an outline and key points to find. Other times, I was more open-ended with my directions. For example, I would ask them to read a section of their textbook and place at least three sticky notes throughout the selection. On each note, they can write a comment or a question about what they have read. The notes become the basis for our discussion in class. In addition, there are times I have them take the sticky notes out of the book, stick them on a piece of paper, add their name, and take it up for a grade.
How do you use reading, writing, speaking, and listening to teach other subjects? Reading a section out of our social studies textbook or an article about a current event was a common activity in my classroom. However, if I asked students to read silently prior to a class discussion, they seemed to struggle and lack focus. I found it was important to give them a structure prior to reading. Sometimes I gave them an outline and key points to find. Other times, I was more open-ended with my directions. For example, I would ask them to read a section of their textbook and place at least three sticky notes throughout the selection. On each note, they can write a comment or a question about what they have read. The notes become the basis for our discussion in class. In addition, there are times I have them take the sticky notes out of the book, stick them on a piece of paper, add their name, and take it up for a grade.
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