2. In order to plan lessons and activities
to support student learning, I must
have an understanding of my
students. I need to determine
students’ interests and background
knowledge. It is important to always
be aware of their cultural and
linguistic background as well. Taking
the time to learn about my students
is the first step in creating a literate
environment.
Activities to Use:
Conversations
Observations
Information from parents
Literacy Autobiographies
DIBELs Oral Reading Fluency
3. Selecting text is a crucial part of reading.
Selecting text that is too difficult can
frustrate students while selecting a text
too easy can lose the reader’s attention
(Laureate Education Inc., 2010). Text
must be engaging, at a student’s ability
level and connect to their multiple
identities for students to achieve success
(Laureate 2010).
4. Teaching students how
to read and become
strategic processors and
thinkers (Laureate
Education Inc., 2010).
5. Strategic processing must be threaded through
all “Five Pillars of Literacy,” (Laureate Education
Inc., 2010).
The Five Pillars include; phonemic
awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, &
comprehension. Each of these components is
crucial for effective reading instruction
(Allington, 2005).
Teach students to be reflective and self-
regulating, becoming independent readers that
process text (Laureate Education Inc., 2010).
7. The critical and response perspectives of
literacy instruction teaches students to think
analytically about texts; to take risks and
share what they are thinking with their
peers; and to connect personally with the
texts they are reading (Laureate
Education, 2010).
Students use the critical perspective when
they evaluate and critically judge the
information contained within a text or texts.
During the response perspective, the
students respond to the text or texts they
are reading.
8. Barton, J., & Sawyer, D. (2003). Our students are ready for this:
Comprehension instruction in the elementary school. The Reading Teacher
, 54 (4), 334-347.).
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010a). Analyzing and
selecting text. [Webcast]. The beginning reader, PreK-3. Baltimore: author.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010b). Changes in Literacy
Education. [Webcast]. The beginning reader, PreK-3. Baltimore: author.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010c). Critical Perspective.
[Webcast]. The beginning reader, preK-3. Baltimore, MD: Author. Laureate
Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010d). Interactive Perspective:
Strategic Processing. [Webcast]. The beginning reader, PreK-3. Baltimore:
author.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010e). Response
Perspective. [WebCast]. The beginning reader, preK-3 . Baltimore, MD:
Author.
Tompkins, G. E. (2010). Literacy for the 21st century: A balanced approach
(5th ed.). Boston:Allyn & Bacon.
