Encourage students to read informational text. This is especially important to learning in the content areas. Some favorite resources for digital text are Time for Kids, Weekly Reader, National Geographic Kids, National Geographic Kids' blogs, Science News for Kids, and Tween Tribune.
Strategies for Reading in the Content Area: Give students frequent opportunities to read on their independent reading level. Allow students to work in small groups to discuss and share what they are reading. Allow them to occasionally select their own readings. Use some of the strategies listed below.
Before Reading: Take time to introduce the reading. Give explicit instruction of reading strategies. Use small and whole group discussions to activate prior knowledge, make connections, learn new vocabulary words, generate interest, and set a purpose for reading. With textbook readings, take a moment to preview the text, identify the text features, and teach vocabulary. Try a number of strategies below to give students a variety of tools.
Use a KWL chartDiscover the student's interests to help select texts. Read aloud and "think aloud" to show students how reading is constructed.
Have the class brainstorm to activate prior knowledge.
Teach the key vocabulary terms and make the connections visual.
Create an anticipation guide (a few open-ended questions or statements related to the text, designed to stir interest).
Read poetry, picture storybooks, and short exerpts to your students related to the reading. It's a wonderful way to infuse literacy and generate interest. Set up dramatic role play to examine a conflict or challenge found in the reading.
Create a probable passage activity: Write key words on board and have students predict the content.
During Reading: Place students in groups based on ability level or interests to read high-interest short works. Encourage students to monitor their comprehension, ask questions, make connections, predict, visualize, and clarify. Select a variety of strategies to encourage active reading (strategies and links on website). Encourage students to sketch main ideas and concepts. Teach students to break down a word or look at context to figure out vocabulary words. Encourage students to write while they read, on post-it notes, in a journal, or on a bookmark.
After Reading: Follow the readings with discussion and writing in order to help students to process and remember what they have read. Encourage students to summarize, note important details, and synthesize new information with prior knowledge. Try a variety of strategies to give students a number of tools.
Have students write "exit slips" and other short formative assessments.
Use maps and graphic organizers to help students to grasp concepts and connections.
Allow students to communicate by writing in each other's journal about the
reading.
Allow students to select passages and discuss reactions in class.
Assign a RAFT to small groups. Create the Role, Audience, Format, and Topic to encourage students to integrate new information into creative writing.
Allow for extensive research projects to foster stamina and depth.
Have small groups categorize and label groups of words to teach concepts and make connections
Non-Fiction Inquiry Circle Materials
Suggested Reading (found in the Literacy Libraries at Sachem’s middle schools)