Literacy Strategy of the Week: a Linda Hoyt strategy

Alpha-Boxes 

An "after reading" strategy that encourages reflection...where the best learning takes place.  Possible uses:

• summarize main points
• increase vocabulary
• monitor comprehension 
• http://www.usd416.org/pages/uploaded_files/2alpha_boxes.pdf  

Thank you for sharing this one, Kathy M.!

Literacy Strategy of the Week

3,2,1


Terrific strategy for all grade levels and across content.  We've used these in teachers' meetings as well.  Our kids need these opportunities to show us what they know and what they're thinking. 

Carol Duffy, Lamoine's 5th grade teacher, challenges her students to mini- research exercises and asks students to use 3,2,1 for their notetaking.  It matches up well with KWL before they begin the research.  Neat way to encourage content reading and thinking.

Check here for more info:
http://www.readingquest.org/strat/321.html

  

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March Forum

A small gathering of four ELA teachers met from around the region, and wonderful conversations happened. We missed the presence of those who could not make this forum.   Sally Leighton and Lyn Wilson shared terrific news about their schools' NECAPs. Their readers and writers are showing fantastic achievement gains. Time to celebrate!!  Valerie Sprague and Jacquie Leighton were present and shared highlights and successes in ELA as well.  Here are a few of the forum topics from the afternoon session:

• Lucy Calkins and Writing Workshop. 

• What's ahead with assessment:  2014-2015 and the new face of local and national assessments?
• What's working well?
• School-wide Writing Prompt at Hancock
• Better answer protocols...a major factor for test prep.
• Readers' Theater...Jacquie shared her unit.  These practices allow middle school readers build fluency, self-efficacy as oral readers, and work collaboratively to perform weekly theater.
•  Closing Reading:  Sally shared her excitement for a new resource she's using to teaching close reading.  We all want to start up a Book Group on this one!!
• Next meeting early April, TBA.

Literacy Strategy of the Week

Give One, Get One, Move On

This one supports collaboration, reflection and builds community.  I am using it next week in Grade 7 so students can receive feedback on their speech topics.

Good for before and after reading/discussion.


I'll leave a few templates in the Teachers' Room.  This strategy works for all content areas and across grade levels.


pp. 169-170  Thinkquiry Toolkit 1

Tech

Our kids will get a charge when we use this Person Selector Tool to randomly pick names.

Literacy Strategy of the Week

Sum It Up

Click here------->  Sum It Up and Lesson Closure strategy
Scroll to bottom of this link where you'll see the red links for the templates.  

Leave a Comment or 2,3.... to qualify for the prizes.  TBA.

Tunk Lake

Think Spring!