Content Area Reading
Chapter 9 & 5
As an educator in the twenty first century, one of the things that we all must think about is the continuous diversity within all education classrooms. It is almost impossible today to go into a public school that does not have at least a handful of students from different countries or that speak different languages. As a future English professional, one of my biggest challenges is teaching not only students with English as their first language, but students who may speak multiple languages and are unfamiliar with my own. I know that as someone that loves all things English, it is easy for me to get swept away in my content area mindset. Chapter 5 in Content Area Reading focuses on the importance of explicit strategy instruction and planning that will lead to engagement and differentiation for all students.
The steps within explicit strategies have been organized and set out in different categories by the authors of this texts. Under explicit strategy instruction there is:
1. Informal Assessment: A tryout of a particular literacy strategy in order to assess where students stand and how you might need to differentiate accordingly.
2. Creating Awareness/Explanation: Open discussion of ideas between the teacher and the students in order for students to understand the rationale and process behind the particular strategy.
3. Model & Demonstrate: This is a follow-up session presented by the teacher in which he/she demonstrates the literacy strategy through teacher modeling; i.e. providing a chart or PowerPoint that walks through the steps of the strategy slowly and clearly.
4. Practice: Have the students practice the strategy through using different texts the teacher provides, watching for how successful they are or if they are still struggling.
5. Application: Providing regular class assignments that highlight/emphasize the use of the strategy with different texts.
Through allowing this process along with regular lesson plans that involve constant engagement through critical thinking, I am assured that my students will receive the knowledge they need in order to take them to the next level as a strong reader and writer.
In chapter 9 of Content Area Reading, Vacca emphasizes the use of writing across the curriculum in all content areas as a way to increase understanding and facilitate engagement within the classroom. As someone who has found a passion in writing throughout my life, I want to be able to provide students with the same enjoyment in a way that allows for a deeper understanding in my classroom. After reading about the many Writing to Learn activities and then reading this chapter on writing within your content area, I am convinced of the many activities that will allow for students to increase texts comprehension within the class.
The steps within explicit strategies have been organized and set out in different categories by the authors of this texts. Under explicit strategy instruction there is:
1. Informal Assessment: A tryout of a particular literacy strategy in order to assess where students stand and how you might need to differentiate accordingly.
2. Creating Awareness/Explanation: Open discussion of ideas between the teacher and the students in order for students to understand the rationale and process behind the particular strategy.
3. Model & Demonstrate: This is a follow-up session presented by the teacher in which he/she demonstrates the literacy strategy through teacher modeling; i.e. providing a chart or PowerPoint that walks through the steps of the strategy slowly and clearly.
4. Practice: Have the students practice the strategy through using different texts the teacher provides, watching for how successful they are or if they are still struggling.
5. Application: Providing regular class assignments that highlight/emphasize the use of the strategy with different texts.
Through allowing this process along with regular lesson plans that involve constant engagement through critical thinking, I am assured that my students will receive the knowledge they need in order to take them to the next level as a strong reader and writer.
In chapter 9 of Content Area Reading, Vacca emphasizes the use of writing across the curriculum in all content areas as a way to increase understanding and facilitate engagement within the classroom. As someone who has found a passion in writing throughout my life, I want to be able to provide students with the same enjoyment in a way that allows for a deeper understanding in my classroom. After reading about the many Writing to Learn activities and then reading this chapter on writing within your content area, I am convinced of the many activities that will allow for students to increase texts comprehension within the class.
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