First, I apologize for taking so long to get back to you, MPS. We
had exams and Powder Puff (which I'm responsible for as class
sponsor) so basically I was swamped.

Here's what I do:

a) Teach the students the habits of good readers. I'm sure you
know these, but if you need further explanation I will be glad to
get back to you (faster this time.) I also give the students a
metaphor/symbol to help them remember them. The ones I use/focus
on are...
1. Preview and plan--symbols are a pair of eyes for preview; i.e.
LOOK at everything, and a bullseye for plan (setting a goal)
2. predict and infer--fortune teller's crystal ball for predict
(explaining how fortune tellers take in a person's appearance, etc.
to help them "foresee" their future) and a detective's magnifying
glass for the infer
3. monitor and clarify--monitor=a gas gauge except it reads
detached for empty and engaged for full; claryify = tools to repair
the loss of comprehension
4. activate and connect--activate= a gear and connect a chain
(connecting is creating links in the chain connecting old knowledge
to new)
5. question=police interrogation
6. engage the material--a book with highlighting, notes in margin,
and post it notes
7. visualize=thought bubbles filled with pictures and graphic
organizers
8. analyze and evaluate--analyze= and evaluate= old scales (like
Justice holds)
9. select and search--a treasure map
10. summarize and synthesize--summarize=choosing pieces of a puzzle
and synthesize=putting the puzzle together
11. reflect--bullseye with arrow in center

b) Teach the students TNKQ-RV. This is a strategy for reading
tests a collegue of mine invented and copyrighted.
t-title--------read the title and write a connection or prediction
to activate your background knowledge
n-number the paragraphs--------preview the passage and note the
organization
k-key words------skip to the questions and underline the key words
in the questions/what is the question really asking
q-qars-------determine the qar of each question to help determine
how to find the answer (See Taffy Raphael for information on QARs)
r-read and red flag--------read the passage and underline
information related to the key words in the questions
v-vindicate/verify----most important step-----prove your answer by
writing the question number on the spot in the passage that gives
evidence

c) Read the gurus--Kylene Beers, Cris Tovani, and Kelly Gallagher

On 1/07/09, MPS wrote:
> Sounds exactly like my classroom.... it is really difficult to
> teach them, because they all have different reasons for
> struggling and different needs from me.
>
> Students are usually placed in my class because they failed
> their 8th grade state reading exam, and the hope is to improve
> their reading so they can pass the 11th grade exam and graduate.
>
> I really appreciate your help!!!
> THANK YOU!
> Mandy
>
>
> On 1/07/09, Teri wrote:
>> I think I can help. I've been in your place more than once.
>> First, though, I need to know what remedial reading is at
>> your school. How do they determine which students are placed
>> in your class? For instance, at my school, all students who
>> haven't "passed" the FCAT (I teach in Florida), are put into
>> intensive reading. The students may be poor readers, poor
>> critical thinkers, or just poor test takers. If this is your
>> case, I can help a lot.
>>
>> On 1/05/09, MPS wrote:
>>> Help!
>>> I am a first year teacher, teaching three classes of high
>>> school Remedial Reading and two ESL Reading classes.
>>> I have very little background in reading instruction, as
>>> my Masters and certification were in Language Arts, with
>>> more emphasis on writing.
>>>
>>> I have tons of books and assessment tools, but what I'm
>>> really struggling with is a basic skeleton curriculum.
>>> What should I be covering and how should the time be
>>> spent? My school is unable to provide this, and they are
>>> expecting me to create a curriculum as I go.
>>>
>>> The school year is halfway through, and I feel like I am
>>> struggling. Any ideas or anyone willing to help?

Share This Post | Report This Post

Next Post >>

Posts on this thread, including this one