Identifying Text Structures
Grades 4-12
Reading Together Citing evidence Text structure Textual analysis ELA Mathematics Science Social Studies Speak & Listen Conversation Providing evidence Reasoning Persuasion
Students read short texts to determine which category they fit into: description, sequence, cause and effect, compare and contrast, or problem and solution.
In this close reading strategy, student readers learn to analyze an informational text to determine its structure – while they are reviewing or learning content. During the discussion step of the activity, students gain experience in citing evidence, conversation, persuasion, and reasoning.
Resource: Growth Mindset and Literacy Achievement, A Proven Plan for Success
Grades 4-12
Resources Teacher Resources
Teachers and school leadership have the power to make the necessary changes to turn around stigmatized schools. Watch Dr. Katie McKnight’s presentation from the 2018 National Title I Conference in Philadelphia, PA.
This session gave Title I educators the opportunity to discover tangible ways in which the centers based approach can create long-term literacy achievement and a sense of growth mindset that will be recognized by teachers, the community, and the students themselves.
Exploring Sequence
Grades 4-12
Reading Together Close reading Textual analysis Teacher-led Assessment ELA Mathematics Science Social Studies Speak & Listen Conversation Reasoning
Students examine a text and actively seek out key words and phrases that indicate time and sequence. This reinforces their understanding of how certain words and phrases serve as "clues" in understanding a complicated text. Next, students create a visual representation of the sequence that is presented in the text.
In this close reading strategy, students learn to analyze a text, examine its structure, and follow the development of sequential ideas and events – all while reviewing content. During the discussion step, students gain experience in conversation, persuasion, reasoning, and citing evidence.
Differentiated Reading List Examples - Grades 11-12
Grades 11-12
Reading Together Center Planning Tools Teacher Resources Teacher Tips
It helps to review examples of reading lists that other teachers have used effectively. Use these examples as inspiration. Feel free to borrow what works and adapt as necessary to suit your needs and the needs of your students.
You’ll see that giving students a choice in what to read brings about significant gains in their engagement, productivity, and growth. But maybe the greatest advantage of giving students a choice of reading material, is that students of varied ability levels and interests all have an opportunity to engage with their reading.
Differentiated Reading List Examples - Grades 9-10
Grades 9-10
Reading Together Center Planning Tools Teacher Resources Teacher Tips
It helps to review examples of reading lists that other teachers have used effectively. Use these examples as inspiration. Feel free to borrow what works and adapt as necessary to suit your needs and the needs of your students.
You’ll see that giving students a choice in what to read brings about significant gains in their engagement, productivity, and growth. But maybe the greatest advantage of giving students a choice of reading material, is that students of varied ability levels and interests all have an opportunity to engage with their reading.
Resource: The Adolescent Brain
Grades 4-12
Resources Teacher Resources
Active educational strategies – particularly those that incorporate a social element, like Literacy & Learning Centers – help middle school and high school teachers take advantage of a developmental stage in which their students’ brains are particularly adaptable and malleable. To quote cognitive neuroscientist Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, “It’s a fantastic opportunity for learning and creativity.”
Watch this short TEDTalk to see how Blakemore compares the prefrontal cortex in adolescents to that of adults, to show us how typical “teenage” behavior is actually caused by the growing and developing brain.
Lexicographer: Or Write Your Own Dictionary
Grades 4-12
Teacher-led Assessment Academic vocabulary Context clues Domain-specific vocabulary Independent vocabulary acquisition Reference materials Vocabulary Word meanings Word relationships ELA Mathematics Science Social Studies
A lexicographer is someone who writes dictionary definitions. In this activity, students gather their own list of unfamiliar or unusual words during independent reading and, at the vocabulary center, enter them into their own personal dictionaries.
When they keep a personal record of newly acquired vocabulary words, students learn vocabulary as an aspect of self-directed and self-regulated learning. They practice using context clues and reference materials to determine word meanings, and they explore the relationship between word forms.
Best Guess Definition
Grades 4-12
Teacher-led Vocabulary Academic vocabulary Context clues Domain-specific vocabulary Reference materials Word meanings Word relationships ELA Mathematics Science Social Studies
Student readers often need to be reminded that they have a lot of tools at their disposal whenever they encounter an unfamiliar word or phrase. This graphic organizer helps them visualize what they already know about a word (how it’s being used in a sentence), and look for clues or hints as to its meaning. They make their own, well-reasoned guess about the word's definition and then check it against a dictionary definition. This activity is appropriate to help with vocabulary acquisition in any content area
This activity encourages students to look for context clues, explore what they know about word construction, and consider their own prior knowledge whenever they encounter an unknown word.
Changing Your Mind
Grades 4-12
Reading Together Identifing claim Inference Point of view Argumentation ELA Mathematics Science Social Studies Speak & Listen Reasoning
Students are given a chance to self-reflect on a resolution and form a personal opinion: Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, or Strongly Disagree. Then, as new information is read aloud, students are invited to re-examine their opinion and change their mind.
Students read, listen, and self-reflect. They learn to recognize the elements of an argument and identify claims through close reading, close listening, and inference. They use reasoning, consider evidence, and explore point of view, as they adjust their personal opinions based on new information.
Resource - Entrance Slip Strategy
Grades 4-12
Writer's Craft Task/purpose/audience Routine writing ELA Grammar Mathematics Science Social Studies Resources Teacher Resources
In the first few minutes of class, students are asked to write one complete sentence In response to a prompt. Using Entrance Slips is like starting each class period with a short Writer’s Center.
Entrance Slip writing gives students an opportunity to engage in metacognitive thinking and routine writing, with one eye toward adapting their writing for a specific task, purpose, and audience. They’ll also practice grammar skills like capitalization, punctuation, and content-specific vocabulary usage – all in an authentic situation.
