Making Common Core Standards

Meaningful

Kristin AngelloDon Nenninger

How to Get Students to Read Informational Texts

source: Guthrie, J.T. & Klauda, S.L. (2012). Making textbook reading meaningful. Education Leadership, 69, (6), 64-68. As presented in class lecture, 3/6/12 by Dr. Donna Mahar.

Discussion QuestionUsing the practice of social motivation, develop

three questions regarding Guthrie & Klauda’s premise on using informational texts

Kristin and Don deep in discussion about literacy in science curriculum

1. Is it a fair expectation that students can learn from text in a similar manner?

Students within one classroom typically have varied reading abilities.

If students are not at the same reading level, will it be difficult for them to read together in a group?

2. Should we be teaching students how to read a textbook?

As Dr. Mahar pointed out, many students find science textbooks difficult to read.

Reading a science textbook is different from reading fiction or literature in that you do not read every word, nor do you read it like a story.

Students find the headings and bold type intimidating, but the authors chose this style to help the reader.

3. How effective is a group reading assignment?

How can reading and discussing a paragraph as a group develop students’ reading skills?

Is this similar to a social constructivism model where peers learn better because they hear concepts explained in “their own language”?

Other Thoughts…We are excited about the introduction of literacy

into science classrooms! We feel reading comprehension and good writing skills are essential knowledge.

We are concerned about how to best teach literacy skills to our students. Let’s be honest: we’re all very comfortable with science, but teaching reading can feel like wading into unknown waters!