Literature Circles
Literature circles guide students to a deeper understanding of what they read through structured discussion and extended written and artistic response. Students can apply what they are learning about reading and writing in literature circles.
Literature Circles Resource Center
West Virgina Dept. of Ed Literature Circle Page
Guided Reading
The teacher guides a small group of students with similar reading abilities in the use of reading skills and strategies.
More information at Instructional Strategies Online
Teaching Reading with Leveled Books at Scholastic.com
Differentiation
Teachers match instruction and assessments to individual learners characteristics and needs.
Differentiated Instruction and Assessment from About.com
Differentiation for Gifted Children at Prufrock Press Inc.
The Access Center
Cooperative Learning Structures
Cooperative learning structures give students an opportunity to be actively engaged in their educational experience.
Colorin’ Colorado – ELL and Cooperative Learning
Kagan Cooperative Learning Structures
Cooperative Learning Strategies for teaching Summarizing
Poetry
“Writing a poem is discovering.” Robert Frost
PoetryTeachers.com
Poetry Giggle
The Children's Poetry Archives
The Discovering Poetry Project
The Poetry Zone
Instant poetry forms
Book Lists
Looking for a good book?
Read Alouds from Planet Esme
Beaverton School District Leveled Books Database
Free e-books and more
Caldecott Medal Home Page
Newbery Medal Page
100 Best Books
Books Recommended for Kids by Teachers
Books for Boys
Read KiddoRead.com
Word Walls
An interactive collection of words used to teach vocabulary, spelling, phonics and more.
Word Walls at ABC Teach
Word Walls at The School Bell
Word Walls at Instructional Strategies Online
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Literacy Centers
Literacy Centers engage students while the teacher works with small reading groups, and reinforce literacy skills (vocabulary, reading, phonics, word study, mechanics).
Literacy Center ideas from Busy Teachers Café
Reciprocal Teaching
The students take turns being “the teacher,” in this learning model for teaching reading strategies.
North Central Regional Educational Laboratory
Video of Reciprocal Teaching in action from Reading Rockets
Graphic Organizers
Visual tools to help organize our thinking.
Houghton Mifflin Graphic Organizers
Author Studies
Find your favorite authors here
Avi
Brett, Jan
Carl, Eric
Cleary, Beverly
dePaola, Tomie
DiCamillo, Kate
Dorros, Arthur
Fletcher, Ralph
Floca, Brian
Fox, Mem
Frasier, Debra
Henkes, Kevin
Hoberman, Mary Ann
Katz, Bobbi
Keats, Ezra Jack
Laminack, Lester
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Lin, Grace
Lowry, Lois
McCarthy, Meghan
Numeroff, Laura
Osborne, Mary Pope
Pilkey, Dav
Polacco, Patricia
Prelutsky, Jack
Riordan, Rick
Rowling, J.K.
Simon, Seymour
Snicket, Lemony
Steig, William
Van Allsburg, Chris
Wells, Rosemary
Willems, Mo
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Useful Links
Smartboard Lessons on Room 108 Web Site
Every Child A Reader and Writer, professional development videos
Houghton Mifflin
West Virginia Department of Education
Santa Maria-Bonita Reading
Rialto School District
Florida Center for Reading Research (FCRR)
Daily Five
ReadWriteThink
Mandy Gregory’s Teacher Web Site
Education Oasis
ABC Teach
Reading Lady
Beth Newingham's Third Grade Literacy
Into the Book
Literacy Center: Online Kindergarten Activities
Mrs. Meacham's Teacher Web Site
Christina Bainbridge's Primary Teacher's Web Site
100 Helpful Web Tools for Every Kind of Learner
Student Mini Lesson Slideshows
Practicing School Skills at Home
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Frequently asked questions
How do I use the Houghton Mifflin Anthology?
The anthology is used to teach reading skills and strategies, including phonics/decoding, word learning and comprehension strategies. The teacher models the strategies and skills and leads the class in guided practice using a variety of shared reading techniques including teacher model, partner read, popcorn read, SQRR (Scan, Question, Read, Respond), pyramid read, numbered heads and cloze read.
How do the Leveled Readers fit into my literacy program?
The leveled readers are used during guided reading to practice the skills and strategies introduced in the anthology lesson. If students are below benchmark in decoding, they should use the phonics readers, instead of the leveled readers to work on phonics/decoding skills and be brought up to grade level.
When do I use the HM student practice books?
The student practice pages include a wide variety of materials. Some of the pages are designed to be used as guided practice, others are designed to be independent work. The pages vary in difficulty, too. Before assigning a page, ask yourself the purpose of the assignment. Is it for review? Extra practice? Assessment? Are the instructions clear, or do you need to guide students through the material? Remember, you do not need to do all or even most of the pages. Pick and choose wisely, according to the abilities and needs of your students.
Instead of using the practice book pages, consider using reading and writing journals, graphic organizers, literature response activities and student projects.
Where do I find out about the Handwriting Without Tears Program?
The ASD Language Arts Department is in charge of the handwriting program. Here is the HWT website: http://www.hwtears.com/
Who can give me information about the Kindergarten Profile?
Glen Nielsen, elementary supervisor, is in charge of the ASD Kindergarten Profile program. Inquires can be directed to his office. Brian Sheridan can provide technical assistance with the ASD assessment database.
Who can answer questions I might have about my classroom literacy program?
Your literacy support teacher is ready, willing and able to help you find the answers to your questions. The best way to notify your literacy support teacher is through district email. |
