Comprehensive Literacy
Understanding information is not always made simple and effective, thankfully infographics are a great way to get across the information effectively. My infographic starts off by breaking down the language arts curriculum into their strands, reading, writing, oral communication, and media literacy. These strands are crucial to literacy and student success. Next on my infographic, is the gradual release of responsibility, this instructional approach provides a plan that includes demonstration, prompting, and practice (Levy, 2007). Moving from “teacher-centered, whole group delivery to student-centered collaboration and independent practice” (Levy, 2007). Following the gradual release of responsibility, the classroom instruction provides students with the opportunity for whole class, small group, or individual instruction. Each instructional level can then be integrated into the 100 minute block, which is shown next on the infographic. During the 100 minute block, the teacher and students have the opportunity to cover a variety of learning experiences appropriate instructional levels based on each individual through the daily 5, which are, reading, writing, word study, self-selected reading, and read aloud.
My infographic is arranged to allow better understanding of how comprehensive literacy plays out in a literacy class, it is based upon the needs of each individual student. Each class will focus on the curriculum, the lesson will have at least one aspect of the gradual release of responsibility, teachers will ensure the classroom instruction is part of their literacy period, which then leads to the appropriate instructional opportunities, or the daily 5.
Based upon my infographic arrangement, here is the breakdown of why each aspect is important to a comprehensive literacy classroom:
Gradual Release of Responsibility:
I have provided the gradual release of responsibility with images of what each section represents, in the logical order of how we would enhance student independence. In the end we want students to be able to understand and effectively work independently, this can be done by working through each phase of modeled, guided, and shared learning.
Classroom Instruction:
Classroom instruction demonstrates how the educator is going to set up their literacy period. There is the option of whole class, where the entire class is learning together. Group work was demonstrated by the image of two people communicating, as it promotes collaboration. Finally, individual instruction is where students are working on independently to understand the material. Each level of instruction is effective if used appropriately and properly for student learning.
100 Minute Block:
Lastly, the 100 minute literacy block is where the teacher provides students with instructions for the first 10 minutes followed by student or teacher choice, which could be one of the daily 5, reading, writing, word study, self-selected reading, and read aloud. This pattern repeats itself for as long as the teacher wants. Each instructional and activity block can be based on the teacher’s choice of instructional level from whole class to individual instruction and from modeled to independent learning.
Some great Literacy Resources:
This is a great resource for upper level elementary classes who are attempting to implement guided reading instruction into their classes. It provides the teacher with 10 great reading centers that can be brought into the classroom.
This blog demonstrates how to effectively implement the daily 5 into the classroom. They provide us with great activities and time management strategies to make literacy centers simple and engaging for the teacher and the students.
This resource is an excellent way for the teacher to see assess student comprehension, by having each child read a different short story and roll the dice to answer the questions that correlates to that number. This activity would also be great for students communicate orally their understanding in small groups.
This is a great way to promote reading for students in all grades. Although this blog provides the explanation for primary age, it would be an excellent idea for any grade, as students would be individually picking their novels, short stories, etc., to read each week. I just love this idea! It generates conversation throughout the school, brings in real world connections (March Madness Basketball), and promotes independent reading.
This resource is definitely for upper level students, but it is a great small group or individual activity for students to do. It allows students to have hands-on practice with literacy devices and understand what they are. Plus, the resource provides free everything you need for this activity! (If you do not have a teacherspayteachers account, here is a downloaded copy of the activity; click here)
References
Levy, Ellen (2007). Gradual Release of Responsibility: I do, We do, You do. © E.L. Achieve. Retrieved from http://www.sjboces.org/doc/Gifted/GradualReleaseResponsibilityJan08.pdf.
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