Technology and Reading Strategies

Tim Hardy recently sent me information that reveals how e-readers can be used for reading strategies. Before you roll your eyes and say, "I'll never use one of those technological e-reader gizmos", read on.

At some point, our students might be using one e-reader instead of lugging around an assortment of physical textbooks. Right now, some students and their parents use the iPod touch, Kindle or Nook. Clinton Township residents can check out a Kindle from the Clinton-Macomb library to experience this e-reader.

Students have access to a variety of e-readers so exposing them to reading strategy options for this technology might enhance their learning experiences. If you have time check out this brief video on the diigo application to learn about how students can highlight text and use technological sticky notes with e-readers.

If nothing else, it's an interesting and practical use for developing reading strategies.

Sticky Note Reading Strategy

Here is an easy-to-use reading strategy that helps students focus while they’re reading and provides entry points into the text that will strengthen understanding after they’ve read the passage.
Many teachers already use this strategy because it provides concrete reminders of what students were thinking about while they were reading. Students can use these reminders to prompt discussion and strengthen understanding.

Why Use It?
How many times have we absent-mindedly read the same sentence, paragraph or page several times? Tracking and returning to important points in our reading is something that all competent readers do, particularly with material for a course or other practical purpose. And when the notes mark particular concepts, facts, or thinking strategies that teachers wish to emphasize they help students actively watch for them.

How Does it Work?
1. Students need guidance when they first use this strategy. Explain what you want them to discover, find or investigate. Maybe you simply want them to note a confusing word or idea in the text. A question mark on the sticky note with a brief note on the confusion is all that’s needed.
2. When students are done reading you may want them to look back on their notes and see if any questions are clarified. If not, they will be able to ask questions for the following day’s discussion. 3. Assessing this assignment is easy. Have the students peel off the notes after completing the chapter or unit, stick them to notebook paper and turn in as an assignment.
4. Use the paper cutter to make strips of sticky notes. Most applications don't require a lot of writing space. Cut the stack of notes in half and double the quantity, double the pleasure, double the fun.


Here are some other options for sticky notes:



Making Connections



Content Area Suggestions

International Literacy Day

Yes, the rumors are true!

Today, is actually International Literacy Day. To help you celebrate this festive event check out the International Reading Association's reading resources.

A webinar on Building Support for Effective Reading Instruction featuring IRA President Patricia Edwards, Richard Carson (Rotary Representative to the OAS) and Instructor Judy Backlund is available.

Check it out and learn how you can help your students become better readers and better learners of your content.

3...2...1...LAUNCH!

Welcome to the Lutheran North Reading Blog. The LHN Reading Club will use this blog as a compendium of reading resources, strategies, ideas, research and other information that will help you use reading strategies in your classroom.

The Reading Club will alert you when there are new posts with useful information. The idea is not to overwhelm you with information, but present reading strategies, applications and research in a way that is manageable and practical. You can also subscribe to this site with the RSS feed on our Google Reader.

This blog will also be made available to parents and students so they can benefit from the reading strategies as well.

Helping our students become better thinkers and readers will also help them become better learners. Now that's a win-win!