This presentation includes some of the components and experiences in our class. I want to wish everyone a great break! This was a great semester!
Sunday, December 20, 2015
Prezi: My experience on EDLI 635
This presentation includes some of the components and experiences in our class. I want to wish everyone a great break! This was a great semester!
Sunday, November 29, 2015
Week 11: assignment 3: Graphic Organizers
Graphic organizers provide students with visual information
that complements the class
discussion or text in ways that really aid students’
comprehension of text. Organizers can be used in many forms and are a great way
to get students to get students engaged. In 2007, a Northern Arizona University
study suggested that graphic organizers can significantly improve student comprehension
in a wide variety of students. However, their findings where very interesting.
The authors suggest that teaching text structure awareness in the content
areas, and training students in using organizers as they read, will increase their
ability to identify text types, increase students’ ability to fill graphic
organizer with appropriate information, summarizing, and aid in comprehension
of text. As the authors point out:
“To
this point we have argued that there is a strong set of research studies from
L1 context to support the use of GOs to raise text structure awareness among
students”.

This information
is very interesting and certainly uses a good number of studies to support
their conclusions. I find that this is something to keep in mind, and definitely
a model to keep in mind. I can definitely see how it would be easy for me to
implement such strategies in my particular content (I am a Social Studies
teacher).
References:
[1] Jiang, Xiangying, and William Grabe. "Graphic Organizers in Reading Instruction: Research Findings and Issues." Reading in a Foreign Language. 1st ed. Vol. 19. N.p.: n.p., 2007. 34-55. Print.
[2] Akhondi, Masoumeh, Faramarz Aziz Malayeri, and Arshad Abd Samad. "How to Teach Expository Text Structure to Facilitate Reading Comprehension." Reading Rockets. WETA, Oct. 2012. Web. 28 Nov. 2015.
[3]
Sunday, October 25, 2015
Week 7: Assignment 2 - Vocabulary
I have studied this in my TESOL program as tier words, and the
words were placed in 3 levels as well. As those, words on the first level are
very basic, and do not need explaining or teaching alone. However, words on the
second level are a bit more complex and occur in multiple contexts or domains.
Those words usually occur in mature language situations. Finally, there are the
level 3, very low frequency words that are complex, oftentimes require
explanation, and are often found on specific subjects.
How do you
teach your students to "chunk" words as a strategy for decoding
unfamiliar words? When do you provide this instruction?
As described in the video, students can be taught to divide
words and break them apart. This can be done by tearing the front and back, and
leaving the middle. Work with the middle trying to associate the word and
sounds. Then, students may blend the entire word and see if this helps with the
reading of a complex word.
Based on Professor
Allington's comments and the classroom examples, what are some ways you might
foster word study in your classroom?
Well, Mr. Allington recommended things I already do in my
classroom: I use ward walls, to recognize
words, as they are introduced/covered in our curriculum.
Also, when reading, we work on context clues to try to
figure out the meaning of complex words. This strategy works well with the use
of metacognitive markers as go along with out reading. I fin that the use of
metacognitive markers as we read tends to produce more active readers and note
takers. When we go back to check on the word, I find students have a better
time recognizing and identifying new words.
Week 7: Assignment 2 - Fluency
Maintain a class library with a good number of books that are appropriate (at reading
level) for the students that.
2. How
can you foster a learning environment in which students have many opportunities
to practice reading?
Provide multiple opportunities
for students to engage in reading and to interact with literacy that is on their
level. Students should be engaged regularly in activities that offer opportunities
to read with a good model, in groups, and even independently.
3. Describe
ways in which you can model fluent reading in your classroom throughout the
day.
As discussed in the video, the "non-interruptive
strategy" for may help foster fluency in beginning or struggling readers
(or even ALL readers). The strategy is simple: let the student complete
sentences when reading and teach them to self-monitor and self-correct.
Students can benefit much from asking strategist when reading. Students can
learn to ask questions like "does that sound right?”
Another important and effective way is to get students reading more fluent is to model
reading to students in an activity. By modeling successful reading and demonstrating
the use of skills that effective readers use, the teacher is modeling what they
should strive to accomplish.
Week 7: Assignment 1 - Chart and Pre-viewing questions
What texts and materials do teachers have in
their classrooms that support students' development of fluent reading?
In the classroom one may find children's
books, textbooks, magazines, as well as computers with particular programs that
work to aid students with such needs.
How do they select vocabulary to teach in all
areas of your curriculum?
This is usually a district-based
priority, and teachers do receive a list of items which has been set aside by
the curriculum instructor for the particular subject.
How much time do they allocate to word
study?
About 15 minutes per day.
However, this may vary per student, as most programs currently are computer
based.
What word study routines
do they teach and encourage their students to use?
Word sounding, but specially word
breaking is a continuous activity that students engage when encountering new
and known vocabulary that is challenging.
How do they differentiate instruction and tasks based on their
students' needs?
Students get assigned particular readings depending on their
reading levels that are gathered every month from an online assessment. The
data collected form the software helps the teacher allocate students into the
appropriate lexile and thus readings.
Sunday, October 4, 2015
Week 4 -- Assignment #1 & #2
Assignment #1
Assignment #2
Assignment #2
Strengths
The student reads at level
and is capable of correcting herself when making certain mistakes. Student uses
meaning, structure and visual cues appropriately when reading. Overall a good
reader, with an error rate of one (1) word incorrectly read for every 50 she
read.
Needs:
Student displayed a weakness identifying and pronouncing sight word (must pronounced as most). Student’s demonstrated difficulty reading fluently despite the fact she understood a high content of the read text. At different points during the reading the student failed to pronounce the “s” in plural words, such as “Whales”.
Needs:
Student displayed a weakness identifying and pronouncing sight word (must pronounced as most). Student’s demonstrated difficulty reading fluently despite the fact she understood a high content of the read text. At different points during the reading the student failed to pronounce the “s” in plural words, such as “Whales”.
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Week 3: Assignment#1 -- Video review

- How does this activity engage students who are at different levels of literacy development?
- During her explicit phonics lesson, how does Ms. Perez support students' problem-solving skills?
- Based on what you saw in the video, what are the different ways that shared reading can be used to promote literacy?
The activity provides
students a great opportunity to engage in a group activity where they are
guided in sounding out words as a group, thus relieving pressure from the
individual. Ms. Perez actively and consistently assesses students’
abilities and provides them –as a groups, as well as individually- with the
opportunity to participate in the instruction. When a student gives an
incorrect answer she uses that particular instance as a teaching moment rather
than engaging in a behavior that could affect the child’s confidence/spirit
towards the work being done. A good example of this was when the male student confused the pronunciation
of dot with bot she guided the student with the correction pronunciation and
helped him identify his mistake by confusing the b sound with the d
sound. In a group setting and an activity
that is visually appealing students are able to participate no matter what
reading level they are at. There was also an appropriate entry level to
the lesson.
- Why does she think it's important for students to verbalize their strategies? What else do you notice about how she helps students build meaning in text?

- How does Ms. Perez organize her classroom to support a wide range of learners? How are reading and writing connected in classroom activities?
The students were broken into groups on the same reading
level. Each station had a different activity. Some students worked on site
words, some students read independently and took notes, other students used the
computers while other students worked with the student teacher. Reading and
writing are connected in Ms. Perez classroom by allowing students to take notes
while they read and answer questions while they are reading independently.
Additionally, reading and sounding out words helps students become better
writers in general.
Ms.
Perez provides many different literacy centers around her classroom to give
students a chance to practice their skills at levels different. Examples include the word wall, a phonemic awareness activity (sorting pictures
with rhymes), she provides her gifted students books on at a higher level with
extended activities, and folders with previously read works so that children who are
slower readers can practice with familiar texts.
- How does Ms. Perez use ongoing individual assessment to guide her instruction? How can the class profile be used to help group students and differentiate instruction?
- How can ongoing assessment be integrated into your own classroom practice?
The use of checklists for understanding, exit tickets,
quizzes, and informal discussions can be used by the teacher to assess students throughout the
school year. Assessments (such as baselines, midterms, and even finals)
for can help assess student’s progress throughout. Peer assessment and
self assessment are also great tools for students to continuously assess
themselves and each other, giving students more independence and
accountability, as well as helping students keep track of their growth and
development.
Monday, September 21, 2015
A Bear of a Poem: Reflection

However, I found the activities in Mrs. Wilhelm's lesson rather coherent and creative. Using the power of poetry in the lesson really brings a challenge that can be fun, will reinforce many of the skills we have discussed (in previous post) are important for literacy and gives students opportunities to be creative individuals, something we lack so much in many of our curriculums.
If there was one think I would like to add to this lesson, is a reflective piece where students shared input on each other's work. I think would reinforce the idea of thinking as writers and readers, and would allow students to -perhaps- get constructive feedback. This, of course would require some training and prior to.... I would definitely like to add a couple of components to the lesson to encourage students to move around somewhat. Adding kinesthetic component would really help engage those students who benefit from such experiences. Lastly, I would love to add a technological piece into the lesson to make it more interactive and lively. This could be in the form of a task where they would read their final product into a video camera, or create a performance where they interact with their edited work.
Sunday, September 20, 2015
Practices in the Classroom: Reflection
This post is a
reflection on the video Practices in the Classroom: Becoming Readers and Writers,
from the Annenberg Learner's multimedia
resources.

As far as her
teaching strategy in regards to information and processing, I found that her
use of gradual release of responsibility really guides students through a
process that enforces information in a gradual, responsible and sensible way,
allowing all students to absorb information at a steady pace. This no doubt
creates a learning environment that is appropriate, effective and sensible.
Week 2: Assignment 1-- Reflection on ELA instruction
ELA instruction is
based around 5 components: reading, writing, language, speaking and listening. The
reading portion of the standards focuses on the appropriateness of text
complexity for each grade and the ability to make sense of text and connect it
to other texts. The writing portion of the standards focuses on
students' ability to successfully write argumentative pieces, informative
texts, and narratives. The focus is on these skills in addition to the
traditional teaching of the writing process. The speaking and listening
portion of the standards focuses on students' ability to make presentations
which will ultimately prepare them for college and careers. The
language portion of the standards focuses on grammar and the appropriate
use of academic vocabulary.

These 5 components are
intertwined so that each year students are expected to gradually have a more
sophisticated and deeper understanding or each and all. The importance and
continuity of these components are based around the other subjects as well As
students progress in their studies, the other subjects become more challenging
expecting students to have practiced (essentially, mastered) skills on the
various components through the work accomplished in ELA so they may effectively
accomplish and succeed in their work with other subjects when the time comes.
Monday, September 7, 2015
Welcome to my EDLI 635 Class blog!
I am excited to be able to start the class and I am looking forward learning a lot this semester!
To add me as a link to your blog!!!
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