Strategy fo teaching reading and writing

Summary

In this video, the speaker provides practical strategies to help teachers improve their students' literacy skills, focusing on reading comprehension and writing. Key techniques include teaching skimming and scanning for reading, using the 'think aloud' method, and incorporating visual tools like sketchnoting. For writing, the speaker emphasizes the importance of prewriting, shared writing, and organizing thoughts before drafting. The video encourages teachers to shift from merely assigning tasks to actively teaching the skills behind reading and writing, transforming their role from task assigner to a coach who guides students through the learning process.

Takeaways

• 😀 Skimming is about getting the big picture and understanding the general vibe of a text. Teach students to underline nouns and key words to find the main idea quickly.
• 😀 Scanning is a more focused approach—use tools like a museum website to teach students to search for specific information within a short time frame.
• 😀 The 'think aloud' strategy is a powerful tool for modeling how to think critically while reading. Teachers verbalize their thought process to show students how to engage with a text.
• 😀 Setting a clear purpose before reading helps guide students' focus. A simple focus question can significantly improve comprehension.
• 😀 Quick writes (brief written reflections after reading) are an effective way to help students process what they've learned.
• 😀 Encourage students to use visual aids like sketch notes to connect information with images. This helps improve memory retention.
• 😀 Teaching writing should focus on the process, not just the final product. Prewriting is crucial to help students organize their ideas before they begin drafting.
• 😀 Writing anxiety can be reduced by breaking the task into manageable steps and focusing on prewriting as an essential part of the process.
• 😀 Shared writing is a collaborative approach that encourages students to contribute ideas and work together on drafting and revising written work.
• 😀 The shift from task assigning to skill teaching in the classroom is key. Teachers should focus on actively teaching reading and writing strategies rather than just assigning tasks.
• 😀 The role of the teacher should evolve from being a passive task assigner to an active coach who models strategies, runs drills, and provides continuous guidance.

Q & A

What is the main challenge when teaching reading and writing, according to the script?

The main challenge is that reading and writing skills are not as concrete as math problems. They can feel fuzzy, making them difficult to teach and assess effectively.

What shift in teaching approach does the speaker advocate for?

The speaker advocates for shifting from being a task assigner to being a skills instructor. Instead of merely assigning tasks like reading or writing, teachers should focus on explicitly teaching the processes behind those tasks.

How does the speaker suggest improving reading comprehension skills in students?

The speaker suggests using strategies like skimming and scanning. Skimming helps students get the general idea of a text, while scanning involves searching for specific details quickly.

What is the purpose of the 'think aloud' strategy?

The 'think aloud' strategy involves teachers verbalizing their thought process as they read a text. This makes the invisible process of reading visible to students, helping them learn how to think critically and engage with the text.

How can teachers help students improve their reading skills using quick writes?

Quick writes are a strategy where students take two minutes to jot down their thoughts after reading a passage. This helps students process what they’ve read and reflect on the text.

Why does the speaker emphasize setting a purpose before reading?

Setting a purpose before reading gives students a focus, guiding their attention toward specific aspects of the text. This helps them engage more meaningfully with the material.

What role do visuals play in enhancing reading comprehension, according to the speaker?

Visuals, such as sketch noting, help students connect information to images, which aids memory retention and understanding of the content.

What is the first step in helping students become confident writers?

The first step is to teach students the prewriting process. Instead of focusing on perfecting the first sentence, students should organize their thoughts and gather ideas before starting to write.

How does the 'shared writing' strategy help students with writing anxiety?

Shared writing is a collaborative approach where the teacher and students work together to plan, write, and revise a piece. This reduces anxiety by providing students with immediate feedback and support throughout the writing process.

What is the key difference between the 'old way' and the 'new way' of teaching literacy?

The old way focuses on assigning tasks like reading and writing, while the new way emphasizes explicitly teaching the skills required for those tasks. The focus is on guiding students through the process rather than just assigning the work.