Emergent Literacy Chapters 4/5 Mod 3

As we read Chapter 4 Emergent Literacy and Chapter 5 Phonics and Word Knowledge, I am thinking of ways to apply these ideas and concepts to the struggling readers in the high school setting.  The article, “Improving Adolescent Literacy: Effective Classroom and Intervention Practices” (2008), offers tried and true strategies that help struggling readers learn to comprehend the reading material assigned in their classes.  While textbook reading of science or history differs from literature class, students can be taught to apply the comprehension techniques to any content area reading assignment. 

In my reading intervention class, I began with allowing student choice to build an interest in reading. We are now ready to read a literature assignment using the strategies mentioned in the article.  I will read aloud (strategy) and ask questions as we read to clarify meaning and vocabulary (guided reading) to build confidence in the student’s abilities to read and comprehend, as well as to teach practical reading skills.  Modeling is one of the most effective strategies since the students are able to see the technique applied in a practical way.  I have also found some guided reading worksheets that are very useful.  These worksheets break down the literature read in the classroom by requiring students to read and answer questions as they read to teach/practice reading comprehension skills.  (I have attached a sample)

 http://www.slideshare.net/mikeyiz/most-dangerous-game-pdf-file?from_search=9#

 I have found that giving students time to read and complete the handout, then reviewing the handout as a class will further demonstrate the strategies that enable the students to become better readers.  Once students gain confidence and learn to summarize and paraphrase the words that they are reading, moving into actual practice in another content area will add tools to their toolbox of literacy.