Evelia---- I don't worry too much about definitions, but here is my philosophy and belief: Reading comprehension strategies (using metacognition, schema, visualizing, asking questions, determining importance, synthesis) have to be taught right from the beginning and they go hand in hand with the decoding strategies (look at the picture, think about what is happening, try a word, look at the 1st letter, etc). I teach fix up strategies throughout. Just reading the words without comprehension is not reading. I also think you have to build the love of reading right from the start. And to quote a 1st grade student: "they go hand in hand. You can't have one without another!)
I teach first, but when I have tutored the word callers in the upper grades, it is HARD to teach them to think. They can read the words, but not a clue about what is really going on in the book---nor do they really love reading. I frame my curriculum pacing so that I start with metacognition (I know-it's not a strategy, but I believe kids need to be taught to think), then move into schema. I spend a few weeks on metacogntion as I work with them to build stamina as a reader. I use the daily 3 (read to self, read to others, listen to reading). I'm also teaching them to decode words. My little guys read for an hour a day (readers' workshop). I teach them to be voracious readers. If they have 1 minute-read a book! When kids have to wait inside because of the weather before school-I love seeing them read a book as they wait to come in.) I would recommend you check out these books: Comprehension: Reading With Meaning by Debbie Miller Comprehension from the Ground Up by Sharon Taberski The Next Step in Guided Reading by Jan Richardson (and check out her website) Growing Readers by Kathy Collins Fluency by Jerry Johns I also tie my writing and math workshops together with the strategies. I would recommend: Number Sense Routines by Jessical Shumway Math Work Stations by Debbie Diller Laney Sammons Guided Math Laney Sammons Math Stretches Crafting Non Fiction by Linda Hoyt Units of Study by Lucy Calkinsu And to be perfectly honest-in my case at least-any book, list serve, website, teachers website/blog, I can get my hands on because every child is different and you never know what they might do and where to find an answer of what to do!!!!! I hope this helped you some. Sandi Elgin N.B.C.T. 2010-Literacy (I like using this now!) _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
