Around 30% of students in sixth grade already have trouble with basic reading and writing. These literacy problems affect performance across subject areas, and they often leave teachers wondering how to help. In this course, you will examine the reasons reading and writing are so difficult for students. Then you will encounter the total literacy framework and see what it does to mitigate literacy problems. Since this framework is based on guided reading lessons that flow naturally into writing challenges, you will learn to successfully transition from guided readings to writing lessons.
Once you have encountered the basic framework, you will investigate a number of ways to modify this basic recipe for a variety of K-12 circumstances, wrapping up with a look at good writing habits and the traits of a productive writing conference. If you're looking for the right way to get students excited about the power of literacy, this is the course for you!
Cheryl Dick has more than 25 years of teaching experience and is currently a classroom teacher. She's taught 2nd, 4th, and 5th grade and has previously worked as an instructional coach. She graduated from Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science in elementary education, with a focus on early childhood education. Cheryl also holds a master's degree in elementary education from Texas-Wesleyan University and a second master's degree in educational administration from Lindenwood University.
The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.
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Lesson 1
Why Is It So Hard to Read and Write?
Have you ever wondered why so many of your students struggle to read and write? You're not alone! This introductory lesson will discuss why these two subjects are so hard for students and how you can make their lives a little easier.
The Total Literacy Framework
To really help struggling readers and writers, you need a framework. The total literacy framework is just the thing: Guided reading, writing, engagement, and assessment are the components that make it so effective. This lesson will discuss guided reading, writing, and engagement.
Where Does Assessment Fit In?
Assessment is the part of the total literacy framework that drives instruction. After all, you need to know where students are academically and where they need to go before you can effectively teach them. In this lesson you will look at fun and simple ways to assess students' reading and writing skills.
Recipe for a Guided Reading and Writing Lesson
The recipe you will learn about in this lesson is one that you can easily modify for any K-12 setting, and it's dotted with examples from real classrooms where guided reading and writing are changing lives.
Writing Stories
Have you ever read a great story only to think, "I could write something better than that"? Well, guess what? Your students think the exact same thing. This lesson will teach you the basics of leading a successful story writing activity.
Composing Nonfiction
Nonfiction is often less popular in the classroom. However, with a little imagination, you can make nonfiction come alive for your students. In this lesson, you will learn how you can make nonfiction more appealing to students.
Writing Poetry
Some students absolutely hate reading and writing poetry, but they won't after you introduce the techniques taught in this lesson! Additionally, you will take a tour of the different kinds of poetry that inspire students.
Developing Papers
Writing papers is never going to be the most exciting part of school, but it's always going to be necessary. This lesson will discuss how to teach students to read research material and use it as a launch pad for papers that are clear and thought-provoking the first time around.
Crafting Ideas Across the Content Areas
One of the neat things about employing the total literacy framework is that you can extend it across the content areas. In This lesson, you will learn how to use guided reading and writing to your advantage whether you're teaching math, social studies, or science.
Reinforcing Good Writing Habits
Have you ever written something that was a little hard to understand? This lesson will cover ways to teach students to craft their own style, hone their organization, and check for proper mechanics before they turn in any assignments.
Holding Writing Conferences
Writing conferences are a great chance to make sure students are successful as they turn reading into writing and writing into ideas. This lesson will discuss the power of conferences and how to make the most of them.
Turning Small Successes Into Big Rewards
It's important to take time to encourage and inspire students by turning their small successes into big rewards. If you're looking for new strategies to motivate students and make reading and writing fun, you won't want to miss all the tips and tricks in this final lesson!
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