Literacy: the basics

To foster lifelong literacy:

1. you need something worth writing and reading about
2. you need something to DO with what you read/write.
3. you need something to SHARE from what you read and write.

Three Cue System:

1. Meaning: prior knowledge, words within text/pictures, ask: does it make sense?
2. Structure: natural language, English grammar, ask: does it sound right in English?
3. Visual: sounds and symbols, ask: does it look right (or close to right?)
   

Random ideas:

• Have students write reminders to each other, especially if a student is out sick.
• Use this sentence starter: "If you want to know me as a reader, you need to know ..."
  
• Kiperpoof: can you read if you don't know the words?
• researcher: Guy t. Buswell: readers do active things while reading
• don't make kids read aloud
• Don't do anything your students can do themselves!
• Make a list of non-negotiables (below are ours)

Our Non-negotiable in Literacy

1. have independent reading time with choice books
2. do read alouds
3. celebrate student's work
4. ignite student's interest in reading
5. give time to read for pleasure
6. have a diverse library in the classroom with different forms of media
7. work together (teachers + students = ownership of learning)
8. share the love of reading and writing
9. have star of the week and focus on the name and history of child
10. organize books by category, not just levels
11. have a this day in history
    
12. have a comfy reading corner where students feel safe
13. integrate subject matter
14. be open to different types of books

Effective Readers: (Taken from Burke Reading Interviews in class. Make own list with students. This will help students have ownership of poster and show strengths)

• take time to think about what is read
• use context
• make connections
• use resources
• figure out what is or is not important
• are aware of strategies for reading
• talk about what's read
  

Read Aloud:

• Stories help us look at other people indirectly. Stories are the way we share ourselves with each other. We must begin with our hearts then 'it' will click with our heads.
  
• Give students something to look for: ex: what might this book mean for me?

Have a Tea Party

1. on small pieces of paper, read quote rom first chapter, think " what is going on in this book" (teacher types up a mix of quotes on fun paper)
2. Share and talk about th quotes and what you think the book is about
3. walk and talk (to as many people as you can) sharing more guesses about the book
4. journal what you think will happen
5. read the book!
6. ---- later: brainstorm issues that matter from the book, ex: this character wants to belong
   

Two Read Aloud Books:

Sister Anne's Hands is about the racism a child faces and how she learns from it. (picture book)


Rules is about a 12 year old girl and her 8 year old brother who has Autism. (chapter book)

Key Components of a Literacy Program Graphic Organizer