How to Actively Read E-TextUsing Kurzweil
By: Maureen LaFleche
What is E-text?• electronic text or e-text has become a preferred
format for many students and an essential format for most students with print disabilities.
Why read E-text?
• You can– re-size – highlight – change the fonts, – colors, – change from one language to another; – transform into synthetic speech– change to MP3
Where can you find E-text?
ARC-BC
Bookstacks
GetFreeBooks.com
Kurzweil Classic Literature CD
Librivox
Manybooks.net
Project Gutenburg
Questia
….and more
What about copyright and E-text?
The Canadian Copyright Act (CCA) Section 32(1) outlines, very specifically, the acceptable creation and use of alternate format materials for individuals with disabilities. In simple terms, the act allows for an individual with a perceptual disability, or an agent acting on behalf of that individual, to create, acquire, or use an alternate format of a copyrighted work as long as that alternate format is not large print or is not commercially available. The act further defines ‘perceptual disability’ as one that prevents or inhibits access to standard print materials due to a visual impairment, a physical disability or a comprehension disability. (ARC-BC Website)
What is public domain?
• Alternate formats of works in the public domain (i.e. not copyrighted) can be created and distributed freely but credits to the original author and/or publisher should always be included in any materials (ARC-BC Website)
What reading strategies do you use?
Swiss Army Knife Effect
• There are many strategies. Pick the ones that are right for your students
• There are no right or wrong strategies
• Strategies will vary from book to book and student to student
This PowerPoint is a Compilation of Pre-Reading and
Guided Reading Strategiesfrom a variety of sources
Terence CavanaughKaren Erickson and David KoppenhaverAdrienne GearSuzanne ManzL. Oczuks Taffy E. RaphaelDawn Reithaug Read-Write-ThinkReading 44Joan SeditaCris TovanniJennifer Wagaman…….and many more
Pre-ReadingWhat is the purpose?
The purpose of pre-reading is for the student to develop an overall view of reading material and to develop more depth and understanding at the onset of reading
What is the purpose? con’t
Have students determine what the primary outcome of reading the text should be
to provide information,
entertainment or
gain an understanding about how something works
RememberEstablish the purpose for reading and then guide your
students to that outcome.
Activating Prior Knowledge
Prior knowledge affects how the reader reads and comprehends the text
HIAT Roadmapadapted from HIAT Roadmap – Kurzweil in a One Room Classroom
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/hiat/tech_quick_guides/Roadmap_KurzweilintheClassroom.pdf
What do we know about good readers?
Good Readers• Think about text• Activate background knowledge• Make connections with text• Take notes• Preview vocabulary and
structure• Make predictions• Establish a purpose• Generate questions• Re-Read text• Test their knowledge
What do struggling readers need?
• knowledge of different types of texts and the best strategies for reading them.
• multiple and meaningful opportunities to practise reading in subject-specific contexts.
• opportunities to practise reading with appropriate resources.
• opportunities to talk about their reading and thinking.
• background knowledge in subject areas.
• expanded sight vocabularies and word-solving strategies for reading subject-specific texts.
• strategies for previewing texts, monitoring their understanding, determining the most important
• ideas and the relationships among them, remembering what they read, and making connections and inferences.
• strategies for becoming independent readers in any context. (Think Literacy - Cross Curricular Approaches – Grades 7 – 12)
Pre-Reading
Strategies for Reading E-text
Activity 1: KWL Chart
What do I Know? What do I Want to learn? What did I Learn?
Print the KWL to the Kesi Virtual Printer. Discuss with your students how these questions relate to their assignment. This can be done individually or as a small group. Topic Klondike
Activity 2: Book CoverRead Title and Author name on the Cover
Write or record book title and author in a Text Note or a Voice Note
Make a prediction
Extended Activity – Include a reason why you made prediction
Activity 3: Text Organizer – Table of Contents, Index or
Glossary
Student opens the Table of Contents and reads the title of the chapter. Using a text or a voice note they make a prediction about what the chapter will be about
Activity 4: Word Work/Vocabulary Development
Why Build Vocabulary?
This strategy is used to enhance students vocabulary and learn how words are used in different contexts. “Vocabulary is the glue that holds stories, ideas and content together…making comprehension accessible for children.” (Rupley, Logan & Nicols. 1998/99)
Activity 4: Word Work/Vocabulary Development
“Starting in grade 4, students need to build their vocabulary by approximately 2800 words per year. One of the best ways to achieve this is for teachers to embed both direct and indirect vocabulary instruction into subject lessons….effective vocabulary must be multi-componential”. (Joan Sedita, 2010)
Activity 4: Word Work/Vocabulary Development
Direct Instruction
Three Activities for Direct Instruction
1. Pick 7–10 key words from text and have
the student highlight and extract words and find a definition for each of the words
2. Pick 7-10 few key words from text and have the student highlight word and extract the words and write a brief story about the words
Activity 4: Word Work/Vocabulary Development
Direct Instruction Con’t
3. Pick 7-10 key words from text. Highlight the words and extract to Column Notes. The first column contains the word, the second column the student writes or obtains a definition and in the third column write the page number where they found the word and write a sentence using the word.
Activity 4: Word Work/Vocabulary Development
Indirect Instruction
Two Activities for Indirect Instruction
1. Student selects examples of new or interesting words from the text and highlights and extracts them. They can look the definition up and write a sentence using the new word.
Activity 4: Word Work/Vocabulary Development
Indirect Instruction Con’t
2. Student selects unknown or interesting words and finds a synonym for the word and writes a sentence.
Activity 5: Chapter Summary
Why Summarize?Summarizing is extremely important in increasing
students’ reading comprehension by helping them construct overall understanding of the text (Oczuks, 2003)
Students have difficulty separating the “essential content from the non-essential” (Timmer, S. A. 2004)
Activity 5: Chapter Summary con’t
How can I summarize text?
You can create a chapter summary using Microsoft Word – Autosummarize feature. Please Note: This only works for expository text because it is formula based. It takes the first sentence of each paragraph as the topic sentence.
Activity 5: Chapter Summary con’t
Places where you can find chapter summaries for novels
•Wiki Summaries•Novel Guide•Grade Saver•Spark Notes
•Shmoop•Book Wolf•eNotes•CliffNotes etc
Activity 5: Chapter Summary con’t
Open Chapter 1 Summary – Print to the Kesi Virtual Printer – Click on the Read button and read summary
Active and Guided Reading Strategies
Strategies for Reading E-text
When students use active or guided reading strategies there are a variety of objectives to achieve while reading.
Objectives of ReadingInteract with text and give complete attention to the text
Create visual images as they read
Makes inferences based on text and prior knowledge
Highlight words, sentences, paragraphs and passages
Make notes about concepts and ideas
Understand characters
Answer questions from pre-reading
Write about what has been read
Predict author’s message
Identify point of view
Identify ideas expressed as true or false, real or imaginary as they read
Activity 1: Reading Log/Journal
Students write a free response (questions, thoughts, ideas, personal experiences etc.) about what they have read. They write for 5 – 10 minutes.
Activity 2: Sticky NotesWhy use sticky notes?
“On your sticky notes, record any questions or comments that come to your mind as you read, and place the notes next to the related text. On your notes you might argue with the author, highlight a powerful statement, explain theme, summarize, or connect your personal experiences to the text”. (eHow.com)
Activity 2: Sticky Notes
Student reads passage and types a question(s), comment(s) or ideas about what they have read onto a sticky note.
Where is
Puget Sound
and San Diego?
Activity 3: One Sentence Summary
Why use a one sentence summary?
“One-sentence summaries are framed activities that can clearly indicate to teachers the level of their students’ understandings. They prompt students to actively engage with the text in order to complete the brief exercise”. (Santa, C.M., Havens, L.T., Maycumber, E.M. 1998).
Activity 3: One Sentence Summary con’t
Student reads to a pre-determined area in the text. While they read they write a list of words that are associated with the reading. When they are finished reading they create one sentence that summarizes the section from their list of words.
Why use highlighting?“Highlighting promotes better reading comprehension.
Students who highlight as they read are learning to identify the important points, and are paying close attention to what they are reading so that they highlight the appropriate text. Focusing on the text in this way enables greater learning and deeper comprehension.
Highlighting also helps both visual and tactile students remember what they are reading and will aid in studying the text independently”. (Jennifer Wagaman. 2008)
Activity 4: Highlighting
Activity 4: HighlightingUnderlining for Critical Reading Highlighting – use one color highlighter – Main idea, topic sentence, full sentences or key ideas or different colored highlighters for different parts of speech, main and supporting ideas, opinions, problems, solutions etc.
Activity 5: Bookmarks
Students often need to locate information in text for review in preparation for an oral discussion, test, or activity. A student can use Bookmarks to move quickly throughout a novel or text or locate information on characters, plot, theme etc.
Activity 6: Stop and Predict
Why use Stop and Predict?Stop and Predict is great because there “are no
value judgments placed on reading at this point in time…Anything goes at this point” (Erickson and Koppenhaver. 2007)
When using the stop and predict strategy students are given a predetermined place to stop in the book, chapter, or section. They are then asked to predict what they think will happen next.
Activity 6: Stop and Predict
Student reads to the end of the selection and then they make a prediction about what they have read. They can write or record their prediction.
You can add a Bubble Note or a Bookmark to show the end of the selection.
Activity 7: Question Answer Relationship (QAR)
Why use QAR?QAR was developed by Taffy E. Raphael in 1986. It is a
strategy used to increase reading comprehension. It helps students realize that the answers they seek are related to the type of question that is asked; it encourages them to be strategic about their search for answers based on an awareness of what different types of questions look for and where the answer will come from (readingquest.org)
Activity 7: Question Answer Relationship (QAR)There are three questions:
Right There: The answer is in the text. It is on the page. The words used in the answer are usually found in the same sentence.
Think and Search: The answer is in the text but you have to search for it. You have to read between the lines.
On My Own: The answer is not in the text. The text got you thinking. The answer is in your head. You use what you already know to answer the questions. Make connections.
(Reithaug, D. 2002)
Activity 7: Question Answer Relationship (QAR)
Student creates 3 Text Notes or a Sticky Notes at the end of the reading. They write one question per box.
Right There!
Think and Search!
On My Own!
In the Text Box or Sticky Note the student writes an answer to each question.
Optional: Share questions with class
Activity 8: Concept Mapping/Webbing/
BrainstormingStudent Vertically Tiles text to be read and opens a New document and Vertically Tiles it. In the New document they click on Brainstorm and add a web to the document. They develop the web by finding information related to character, plot, setting, theme, or any ideas or thoughts that they have about the section they have read.
Activity 9: Story Map
Student prints a story map template to the Kesi Virtual Printer and using Text or Voice Notes answer information about parts of the story they have read
Activity 10: Partner Reading
Student is paired with a buddy at the computer. Using headsets with a splitter they read the story or section together. They stop at pre-determined areas that are marked by Bubblenotes, Text, Voice or Sticky Notes to discuss and answer questions or make predictions about the text.
Other Possible Activities
Code the Text – by Tovanni, 2000The Question Web – Dawn Reithaug – Supporting Adolescent Readers – pg 207SQ3R Strategies with Kurzweil 3000
• Non-Fiction – try T.H.I.E.V.E.S - It is an acronym for title, headings, introduction, every first sentence in a paragraph, visuals and vocabulary, end-of-chapter questions, and summary. Students are guided through a preview of a nonfiction text. After guided practice, partners work together to use the strategy to preview a chapter from a textbook - Suzanne Manz (Read-Write-Think)
Other Possible Activities
After Reading
Literature Circles – small group of students read same novel and then discuss a previously discussed ‘big idea’
Making Connections – text to self, text to text, and text to world – use sticky notes
Demonstrate comprehension through a variety of activities – Sask Schools
5 Minute Write
….or any of your favourites
QUESTIONS
RESOURCESAccessible Resource Centre - British Columbia - - http://www.setbc.org/Download/ARC/ARC-BC_Copyright_FAQs.pdf
Cavanaugh, Terence, W. 2006. The Digital Reader - Using E- books in K-12 Education pgs. 57 – 70
E-How.com - http://www.ehow.com/how_2131683_improve-reading-comprehension.html
E-Notes – Call of the Wild – Chapter 1 - http://www.enotes.com/call-wild-text/chapter-i-into-primitive?start=1
Erickson, K. & Koppenhaver, D. 2007. Children with Disabilities: Reading the Four-Blocks Way
Gradesaver – Chapter 1 – COTW Summary http://www.gradesaver.com/call-of-the-wild/study-guide/section1/
HIAT Roadmap – Kurzweil in a One Room Classroom - http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/hiat/tech_quick_guides/Roadmap_KurzweilintheClassroom.pdf
RESOURCESHoughton Mifflin Company – KWL Chart - http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/pdf/kwl.pdf
Instructional Strategies Online - Story Mapping - http://olc.spsd.sk.ca/DE/PD/instr/strats/storymapping/index.html
Mans, Suzanne. Read-Write-Think – T.H.I.E.V.E.S. - http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson112/manz.pdf
Oczuks, L. (2003). Reciprocal teaching at work: Strategies for improving reading comprehension. Newark, DE: International Reading Association. Reading Quest - http://www.readingquest.org/strat/qar.html
Reithaug, D. 2002. Orchestrating Success in Reading
Rupley, Logan & Nicols. 1998/99
RESOURCES
Santa, C.M., Havens, L.T., Maycumber, E.M. 1998 – The One Sentence Summary - http://sharepoint.chiles.leon.k12.fl.us/lcsreadingstrategies/main%20idea%20plot%20and%20purpose/One%20Sentence%20Summary.pdf
Sedita, Joan. 2010. Winter Newsletter. Keys to Literacy. http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs093/1102000925312/archive/1102928960970.html
Teacherflies.com – Graphic Organizers – Story Map
Think Literacy - Cross Curricular Approaches – Grades 7 – 12
Timmer, S. A. 2004
RESOURCES
Wagaman, Jennifer. 2008. Highlighting Skills to Improve Comprehension: Teaching Children How to Highlight as They Readhttp://www.suite101.com/content/teaching-highlighter-skills-a74727
Photos and Clipart
Call of the Wild Book Jacket – M. LaFlecheClipart and Photos – Microsoft
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