The+Table

== =Above is Melissa's posting.=

=Table of Main Points from Discussion=

Discussion Thread Results:

**1. Major Aspects of Written, Oral, Visual Literacy:**
Practice in writing & speaking, coupled with teacher & peer feedback makes effective writers & speakers. Navigating the volumes of visual & print media for credibility is an important skill.

Print and visual media critical analysis: voice, author/originator, agenda; political, moral, and economic basis of. Instant media sources: online news, youtube videos, popular blogs, and twitter feeds.

A student's ability to accurately and articulately share their reactions to literature is just as important as those reactions to literature. Public speaking & presentations a must in all ELA classes; include as part of scoring rubric.

Literacy begins when a baby is learning to speak and is enhanced by visual representation of words. Written literacy and oral literacy take shape where students express themselves through writing and speaking.

**2. Reading Circles & Other Student-Centered Approaches:**
Resource: "A Community of Readers" by

Reading Circles/ Literature Circles- students critically discuss the text. The discussion, aside from a potential starter question, should be student driven.

Stronger readers can help students who may be struggling a bit more.

Jobs within lit circles serve to focus students on what they're reading. A couple of jobs within a lit circle: Discussion Director, Literary Luminary, Connector, and Illustrator.

If left unmonitored, students may get off task in their book discussions.

"In the Middle" Nancie Atwell: Reading workshop method: Students are responsible for reading, rating, and listing books for the class. Students also keep reading journals, conduct booktalks, and perform self-evaluations. All of these activities promote a classroom culture that values a student-centered approach.

**3. Strategies for Helping Students be Reflective Readers:**
Sustained Silent Reading- see Donalyn Miller's blog (author of "The Book Whisperer").

Reading Journal- notes for reference & keeping track of events; write down their questions, comments, and reflections.

Dialogue journal: teacher interacts with the student in a two-way dialogue about the book.

Talk back to the author journal, followed by discussion.

Tea Party

**4. Strategies for Building Comprehension & Vocab Skills in Reading:**
Strong vocabulary is important.

Vocabulary lists with tests needed at least every other week.

Vocabulary words should come from current assignments/readings, etc.

Deriving meaning through context is important.

Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes should be a regular part of vocabulary tests.

**5. Meaning-Making Strategies;** **Critical Analysis of Texts:**
Understanding basic elements key to being able to critically analyze text.

Comprehension of surface level needed before deeper symbolic level can be achieved.

Personally connecting to text important for understanding.

Important steps to analyzing literary works:
 * Free writes & journals.
 * Reader response activities that draw on students' prior experiences.
 * Making connections across books and authors.
 * Creation of character maps.
 * Opinion surveys.
 * Visual mapping of class dicussions.
 * Modeling by teacher.
 * Students and teachers need to collaborate.

Think-alouds help a teacher assess and then assist a student who is having trouble comprehending text.

Ideas for choosing books to read for enjoyment, research, etc.

"Cloze Procedure" A method to see if a book is above a student's reading level.

"Five Finger Method" for students to choose a book.

CARI/GRI to assess the appropriateness of a textbook for classroom use. Administered to students before choosing a content area textbook.

=Checklist for Evaluating English Texts-- I have moved this to its own Page- "Evaluation Checklist" see over on left. =

=Titles of Three to Five English Texts-- I have moved this to its own Page- "Textx Evaluated" see over on left. =