Want to get your kids thinking more about what they are reading and processing that text at deeper levels? Then a technique called Facts, Questions and Responses created by Harvey and Goudvis (2000) might be just the strategy you need. Kids of all ages can use this technique to think about and process the text they are reading. Students begin by reading a selected nonfiction text and then generating the facts they have identified in their reading. They write these facts on a 3-column chart with the headings “facts” “questions” and “responses” as labels for the columns. After writing down the facts learned, ask students to list some questions that they have about this fact or things that they wonder about. These questions are listed in the center column. In the third column, students write about their responses or reactions to the facts that they have learned. This strategy can not only help students think about what is important in a selection, but it can also help them process the information and think about related questions that they might still have about the information in the text. While older students can process this information on their own or with partners, younger children can also use this strategy when guided by the teacher as a whole class activity.
Using Technology to Build Reading Skills
Kids love using technology so why not capitalize on technology to build student reading skills especially for English Language Learners and struggling readers? The Lit2Go website (see link below) has some great books that you can download to your classroom computers or iPods. Students can listen to the stories while reading the text or simply listen to build vocabulary and strengthen background knowledge. There are many applications that can be downloaded that can be of benefit too such as Native Language to English Dictionaries, the Buzz Aldrin portal to Science, many books both audio and visual, and tons of other useful aps that can help children improve their reading and learning.
Encouraging Reluctant Writers with SPAWN
Struggling with how to get reluctant writers to revise and/or strengthen their work? A technique called SPAWN, developed by Martin, Martin, and O’Brian in 1984 and recently reintroduced by Grozo (2003) may be just what you need. The 5 writing options you can present to your students include the following:
S – Special Powers. The student can change some aspect of the text or topic. Their writing then explains what was changed, why it was changed and the effect of the change.
P – Problem Solving. Students are asked to write possible solutions to problems that have been proposed in the book being read or the material being studied.
A – Alternative Point of View. The students writes about a topic or retells a story from a different character’s point of view or relates it from a different perspective.
W – What If? Students are given the opportunity to respond to a change they have made in some aspect of the topic or the story or to a change the teacher suggests. They write about the results of the change.
N – Next. After reading a portion of the text, students describe what they think the author will discuss next, explain or have happen next and provide evidence to support their predictions.