Teacher Tip - Timer
Grades 4-12
Keeping kids on task and effectively using center time can be a challenge. Displaying a timer is usually an effective solution.
Time management and self-regulation
Webinar - Differentiating Texts for Discipline Specific Reading
Grades 4-12
In this 45-minute, pre-recorded webinar, Dr. McKnight explains how to create engaging and accessible reading for content area study.
Educators learn why it's necessary to consider all three components of the text complexity model when differentiating texts. Dr. McKnight discusses the value of essential questions in various disciplines and shares resources for choosing differentiated texts.
Webinar - Introduction to Literacy & Learning Centers
Grades 4-12
Do you want to implement Literacy and Learning Centers with your students? Dr. McKnight outlines structure and classroom management advice in this 45-minute, pre-recorded webinar.
In this overview, educators discover how the Literacy and Learning Center model integrates balanced literacy, differentiated instruction, formative assessment, and intervention. Foundational centers, classroom norms, challenges, and literacy in the content areas are discussed.
Teacher Tip - Giving Directions
Grades 4-12
When students are off task, it is most often rooted in unclear directions. I review my directions before I give them to the students in center activities. Since I am encouraging the students to develop greater independence and self-regulation, my directions must be clear and concise.
Clear directions
Teacher Tip - Basket
Grades 4-12
Organization is one of the key components for Literacy and Learning Center success. In this video, a veteran 7th grade teacher, Adriene Clerici, explains how she uses baskets to organize materials.
Organization
Snapchat the Main Point
Grades 4-12
After reading a text together, students work in teams to summarize the author’s main point using nothing but a quick sketch and 80 or fewer characters.
Students work together on reading goals (identifying a central idea, summarization, citing evidence), speaking & listening goals (conversation, reasoning, citing evidence, presenting information), and writing goals (task/purpose/audience, production, planning, revising and editing).
Sentence Starter Discussions
Grades 6-12
On colored index cards, write three claims about your study topic. These can be taken from a textbook or supplemental material – or you can make them up yourself. Students choose one claim and comment on it using sentence starter cards as prompts.
Students practice authentic conversation, using complete sentences and expressing clear thoughts.
Poster - Think Text Connect
Grades 4-12
This deep reading poster explains the purpose and basic instructions for a popular after-reading Literacy and Learning Center activity. It provides a three-part approach for analyzing and reflecting on a text.
Hang this poster at the Reading Center for student reference.
Poster - Story Trails Sequencing
Grades 4-12
Many texts - both literature and informational - include sequential steps. This deep reading poster clarifies the thought process involved in identifying those sequential steps.
Hang this poster at the Reading Center for student reference.
Poster - Stopping Run-ons
Grades 4-12
This grammar center poster reminds students of the importance of clearly written communication in all subject areas. It also encourages them to read important content closely, paying attention to the meaning of each individual sentence.
Hang this poster at the Grammar Center for student reference.