Choice Lit Topic: Reading Strategies
Are your students buried in post-its? Oversharing with those text-to-self connections? Parroting back comprehension tips but rarely applying them when they are actually reading? Our contributors sort through what works with strategy instruction, and have wise advice for avoiding superficial approaches to developing comprehension skills.
Results
Reading Word Problems: Test-Taking Skills (Part 1)
Andrea Smith leads her 4th grade class during word study time as they analyze a math word problem. She uses an anchor chart developed by the class that lists math skills and strategies that are essential for success.
Fluency in Focus: Conferring with Jake
Gail Boushey confers with Jake during reading workshop. Jake has a goal of working on fluency in his reading. Click here to download the workshop guide. COMMON CORE CONNECTIONS: RF.1.4....
Learning to Cross-Check: Conferring with Hailey
Joan Moser confers with Hailey, a kindergartner who is working on the skill of accuracy through the strategy of cross-checking.
Nonfiction Read Aloud (Part 2)
Sean Moore is reading Plants That Eat Animals to his second graders. He asks students to listen for short periods of time, and then has them remember two facts and do a think pair share quickly.
Conferring About Stamina in 3rd Grade
In this conference with third-grade student Jeffrey, Beth Lawson helps this young reader think through the importance of developing stamina to get through the first 50 pages of a book. Beth connects the conference to a wall chart the class developed earlier in the year.
Next-Read Stack: Conferring for Independence
Next-Read Stack conferences take up much of my conferring time with some students. Because engagement in text is key for every child, I make time to support the students who...
Fluency in Focus: Conferring with Jake
Gail Boushey confers with Jake, a seven-year-old who is setting a reading goal of developing fluency. After the conference, she debriefs with Joan Moser.
Conferring About Chunking Words in Second Grade
Sean Moore confers with a 2nd grader who is learning the strategy of chunking words in reading. Notice how Sean focuses the student, refers to previous conferences, and previews an...
Stop and Track: Conferring with a Fifth-Grade Reader
In this conference with a 5th grader, Aimee Buckner shares two strategies -- one to use when putting a book away between readings, and another to help keep track of...
Grades K-2 Fluency Lesson
In this video from a K-2 multiage classroom, Joan Moser and Gail Boushey ("The Sisters") present a fluency lesson to the whole class.
Inferring and Synthesis: Conferring Over Series Books
Beth Lawson shows how to get the most from a conference about series books in 3rd grade. Inferring and synthesis are discussed, as well as the use of written notes...
Planning for a Demonstration Lesson Part 1
In this first installment of a video series, Clare Landrigan takes a team of grades 3-5 teachers through the steps of planning for a demonstration lesson.
Synthesis in Reading and the Reading Notebook
Beth Lawson helps one of her 3rd grade students write in response to a complex text he is reading, talking through how the writing might help him synthesize the plot...
Guided Reading in Perspective
Recently I presented my work at a regional conference. A teacher came rushing to the front of the room as I packed my computer after the session. "Do you have...
Main Ideas, Summaries, and Notes in a Reading Conference
In this conference with a fourth grader, Aimee Buckner tackles text choice, notes, and main ideas all in less than five minutes. You'll notice teachers observing in the background; the...
Conferring About Rereading Strategies
In this conference with a fourth grader, Aimee Buckner guides a child to think more deeply and critically about a book being read to the whole class, Goblins in the...
Making Kids Aware of Their Thinking
Read aloud time is my favorite time during our school day. I love gathering the kids close on the rug, sharing a good book together and digging in to talk...
Connecting Yoga and Character Traits in Literature Study
"Sat Nam!" the voices shouted at 8:15 a.m. right before they headed down the hall on their way to start their day at school. I had just finished my Monday...
Big Ideas: Balancing Plans with Authentic Response
The expression "from the mouths of babes" never holds more true than when you are teaching kindergartners! Last fall, a group of kindergarten students taught me a lesson that is...
Acquiring Knowledge Two or Three Strategies at a Time
"Hey, Papi! What is that crop growing over there?" My dad responds patiently to repeated requests by my nine-year-old son, Jack, to identify exactly what is growing in the fertile...
A Closer Look at Anchor Charts
Peeking into classrooms at the very beginning of this new school year, I was surprised to see that many teachers already had lots of anchor charts (and completed word walls,...
