Smart Step Strategies for the Content Areas
Grade Levels
5-12 (Content Area Teachers)
Approved Areas of Professional Development
- Instructional Strategies
- Cognitive Research
- Principles of Learning
- Assessment
Description
This training is designed to boost student achievement in the content areas of the curriculum by teaching strategies to improve comprehension-in-context. It includes a broad selection of research-based comprehension strategies, applicable and adaptable to all students in all courses. These strategies are effective, not only for delivering course content instruction, but for improving students’ reading comprehension skills. The explicit instruction and support enables many more students to experience success in the content areas of the curriculum.
Training Schedule
This professional development is presented over a five-day training cycle; however, teachers may elect to attend any or all of the core days. The training is also structured so that schools may design/schedule training according to available time and purpose.
Day 1- Constructing Meaning |
Pairs-read, QAR, Interactive Reading Guide,
Note-making/Note-taking |
Day 2- Building Comprehension |
Reciprocal Teaching (Questioning, Clarifying, Summarizing, Predicting) |
Day 3- Interactive Learning |
Anticipation Guide, GIST, Frayer Model |
Day 4- Analyzing to Understand |
Affinity, Concept Definition, KWL Plus |
Day 5- Writing to Learn |
Writing to Learn (Learning Log, RAFT, Minute Paper, Believing and Doubting, SPAWN, Exit/Admit Slips, Crystal Ball, $2.00 Limit, The Last Word, Yesterday’s News, Fast Food for Thought) |
Research
-
National Reading Panel Report (2000)
-
Reading Next (2004)
- Bridging the Literacy Achievement Gap Grades 4-12. Strickland and Alvermann (2004)
Contact information:
Contact your local education service cooperative for training in your area.
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