I recently completed a literacy engagement using the "Article of the Week" strategy from Readicide. Since I am in a Computer Applications class, I found an Article in PC World magazine about the top 25 dates in computer history. I read aloud and some of the students read aloud and we discussed each segment of the article. The students seem to really enjoy it! I did a ticket out the door the next day asking for feedback on whether or not they enjoyed the class and why or why not. Every student said they liked it! One of the things that I liked about it was that I was able to get some great information about the students that read aloud. Some were good readers and did not need any help with the more difficult words and some stumbled about and mispronounced the words they did not know, etc. It is a great way to find out where your students are in their reading capabilities.
I have noticed that several of my students do not know how to skim the text for information. I have been giving some impromptu lessons on picking out key words and how to use the glossary. I have seen quite a bit of frustration in the students relating to this. They get frustrated and just guess when the answers are right in the book if they could figure out how to find them. I really feel I was able to help some of the students and it made me feel good, like I accomplished something that day.
In my own classroom, I will definitely have a reading corner and I will use the "Article of the Week" strategy. I think it is a great way to connect what is being taught in my business education classroom with the real world. In addition, it will increase the students level of reading comprehension and help them become informed about current events and business world culture.
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I've found out some interesting things about my students as well by doing read-aloud engagements. As far as guessing, I've seen that students will turn in an assignment with questions left blank. Rather than mark it wrong, I'll often go up to them and ask them why they left the answer blank. The most common response is, "I didn't know it." Rather than ask for clarification or help, students would rather just get the answer wrong. I was really surprised to find this out.
ReplyDeleteGreat use of article of the week, Gina!
ReplyDeleteYou are giving them insight into your field and developing life-long literacy skills. You found a "sweet spot!"
I agree with Corey alot of students will leave questions blank rather than try and answer them, or ask for help in understanding. I have actually gone up to my students and asked them to look for context clues with me so that we can determine what the answer is. I hope my students see that I care when I do this and am not just nagging them. Also way to go with your article of the week!
ReplyDeleteI did a read aloud with my class too and they loved it also! As far as skimming the text, they really do not know how. I've tried modeling for them, for example. When I assign any reading I go to them and ask them questions about the main point and then ask whether or not some of the other parts of the article are "necessary" you know? They have to be taught how to skim text...they really do not know what that means.
ReplyDeleteI'm also with you on the leaving answers blank. I have students do that on multiple choice tests!! I have talked to them, but they choose to get the answer wrong and receive no credit regardless of how many points the question is worth!