Developing Literacy in MST

We feel that there were many “good” aspects to our class time this summer.  However, as educators, we need to constantly reflect on our practice and make changes in order to best meet the needs of our students.  We’d like critical feedback on this class.  Along with the good, also give us the “bad and ugly”. 

• Indicate ONE good aspect of the class that you would not want to see changed.  Explain.
• Share ONE suggestion that, if implemented, would benefit the learning experience for future students in GMST 525.  Explain the benefit.

Have a wonderful summer.  Keep reading from your Bloglines and check back on this class blog to see how others in the class have implemented literacy strategies in their classrooms.

Look back at your initial thoughts on the anticipation guide from the first night of class.  What has changed?  What is still unclear?  What are you certain of in terms of literacy in the content areas?

We have focused our class time on exploring reading in the content areas.  What does student writing resemble in math and science?  How would the implementation of writing activities in your classroom connect with the following quote?

Students learn best by becoming a part of their own learning, taking an active role in classroom activities, and assuming responsibilities for their education.  (Billmeyer & Barton, 1998)

Well, the podcast works! You can access the podcasts from this class at here. Click on the button to subscribe to the podcasts in Bloglines or use the button to subscribe using iTunes. Don't have iTunes? Download it here.

One of the coolest things about podcasts is that once you subscribe you won't have to visit the site again to get each episode.  It's automagically sent to your iTunes or news aggregator like Bloglines! 

Want to learn how we made the podcast? Yep, you can find that at the Model Schools Wiki page on podcasting.

Briefly comment on your role in your group project presentation?  What do we have to look forward to experiencing?

Sharing books you've read for pleasure or those related to your subject area with your students addresses the following:

• Allows your students to see you modeling reading for pleasure.
• Connects you with your students on a more personal level.
• Helps to create a reading community within your classroom.
• Introduces your students to books they might not discover on their own.

Reflect on the book you read for pleasure.  Include the title and author, a brief summary, favorite part, and any recommendations.  Check the replies of others in the class to see if you have already read one of the titles or are now interested in reading one of the books. 

My fourth graders have finally departed and Janet and I will quickly catch our breaths from this busy week.  Then we will be evaluating all of the documents that have been emailed to us.  On Friday you will each be given an update that shows your completed binder assignments and blog post comments and the grades for each.  Please be sure to use the course syllabus to stay on-track with the assignments.  See you on Friday evening and I hope to hear about some great outside blog posts that you have been reading!

Here are a few sites related to metacognition that may be useful when developing your own Think-Aloud.  

Metacognition in Mathematics: http://mathforum.org/~sarah/Discussion.Sessions/Schoenfeld.html

Think-alouds to improve comprehension:  http://www.writingproject.org/pub/nwpr/improvingcomprehension/2001/wilhem.html

Our course is half over and it's time for reflection.  You have been bombarded with information and strategies related to developing students' literacy in your content area.   Evaluate your learning, the needs of your students (or future students), your curriculum, and your interests and comment on the one most important piece you will take back to your classroom.  It can be a strategy to implement or a more abstract concept of literacy development that you have come to appreciate and value.  Explain the reason for your choice.

How do pre-reading strategies help to promote deeper content understandings?