Part of making sure that my students are literate includes making sure they can not only read and comprehend our content, but also understand the language specific to it. For example, my students are in the process of learning formulas. I am not happy that they just know A=bh. They need to understand what the symbols and letters mean mathematically. Therefore, when discussing formulas with me, they must say Area equals base times height. This is one thing I do to make sure they are literate in math.
As 7th and 8th grade band students prepare for state contest, literacy is a huge part in the scoring process. When a band performs a piece of music, they must express to the audience (or judges)a mood or expression, it is a section of the scoring sheet. They must comprehend the story or imagery of the music and express that in their playing. Now, getting 12-14 year olds to show emotion on stage while scared to death is quite a challenge. But to get that top rating of superior, they must comprehend and be able to break down the parts(aka main idea).
I find that students' knowledge concerning vocabulary is critical in SS and Science. For students to be literate in these subjects they have to have a good foundation where vocabulary is concerned. They must be able to read different types of texts in these areas and comprehend them. For example, historical and informational texts read differently from first hand accounts and the more types students are exposed to, the more literate they will become in Social Studies and Science.
One of the good things about teaching all four subjects last year was that I was able to truly see where the curriculums overlapped. I concluded that the subjects truly do have many common areas. The differences however may be the academic vocabulary unique to each subject. Therefore, I put forth effort to be very explicit with the terms that I chose and to integrate academic terms from subjects into other subjects as much as possible. For example, using the word inference in both ELA and science can go a long way. This does help the kids to see the connections as well.
In ELA class, we are constantly teaching and using literacy strategies. These help students not only in ELA but in all core subjects as they take the strategies out of ELA and apply them to SS, Science, Math, and other subjects. Students need these to succeed in school.
With my students I think it is very important that they know not only how to use the different computers and programs, but also what it is they are using. Any student will be able to use the machines and programs after a few weeks of practice, but to be literate they must also know what it is they are using. Most of my vocabulary is parts of the computer or programs that we are using. I try to use as many of the literacy stratagies as I can to make sure the students have a good understanding of what we are using.
I believe that to ensure literacy in any course, we must integrate as much vocabulary as possible throughout all subject areas. In Language Arts, I use the Word Within the Word vocabulary program to strengthen student vocabulary and improve literacy. After talking to other subject area teachers, this vocabulary knowledge appears to carry over into other classes. In both Language Arts and Social Studies, I try to use literacy strategies as often as possible to teach and reinforce skills and concepts. Finally, I encourage all students to read as much as possible on their own.
Vocabulary, reading strategies, note taking skills, and allowing students to use their creativity are all necessities when it comes to elevating student literacy. I think it is also imperative to bring in other core subjects into the language arts classroom to show students that literacy is necessary everywhere they go. Finally, students must read! Practice makes perfect:)
One way to ensure that our students are literate in all subject areas is to make sure they know and understand the vocabulary in each subject area. We teach vocabulary skills in our ELA class everyday. In math, it is just as important for them to know and understand math vocabulary. I try to make sure the students in my math classes know and understand the vocabulary words they hear each day.
In Social Studies, I feel that it is essential for students to know the key vocabulary that are associated with each of the topics that students are studying. They need to know the definitions of each word, but in addition to that I feel students should should know how to form sentences with each vocabulary term/terms as part of the sentence. As students learn how to build better sentences and practice building sentences, the concepts of sentence structure will be constantly reinforced. Whenever possible, teachers should take advantage of the opportunities to help students practice building sentences and learning vocabulary. Even practice essay writing during units and adding an essay component on tests will help. Begin with the basics, and work upwards from there, start with vocabulary. Adam Kennington
In my math classes, I try to make sure that students understand how to read the problems correctly in order to understand what they are being asked to do. For example, how many revolutions are there of a tire when it goes a certain distance. If they don't understand the word revolution they don't know what to do even if they happen to know the formula. Also, kudos to Ms. Crowder, I do the same thing when we are using formulas. A lot of the math comes down to if they understand what the question is asking of them.
I agree with all that has been posted. The only thing I might add is that I talk with my students about their understanding. I ask questions and encourage them to ask questions and explain to me what they are not processing. This opens the door for other students to help me "teach."
Like Kim, I agree with what has previously been posted. It is interesting to see how literacy strategies and vocabulary are used across subject areas. The year science teachers were able to meet for alignment across grade levels was extremely helpful for me. As an ELA teacher,we were always hearing it is not my job to teach reading, it's yours.It became evident in that science meeting,as we discussed vocabulary necessary for comprehension across grade levels, that teachers were using literary strategies throughout the science lessons. Whether teachers realize it or not, anytime they use a literacy strategy, they are teaching reading. It is not just the job of an ELA teacher, but it is a tremendous help to them.
Like the posts by Mrs. Hittle and Ms. Crowder, helping students understand what is being asked of them to do in the problem is essential. Understanding what the terms in the formulas mean and how it applies to typical problems will move students to be "literate" in the content.
I try to make sure the kids can read and comprehend our content. For example, I make sure they know what a one rep max is when we are weight training. I also make sure they know how to mathmatically find their one rep max with out actually doing a one rep max, that would injure most of them.
Knowing the correct terms and when to use them if important in Math. Just like Hittle and Crowder making sure the students know the connection between the symbols and the words is important. Comprehending a word problem in most of the battle in Math
I enjoyed reading all of your comments (and Mrs. Lackey's response from the ELA teacher perspective). In ELA, we do a lot of teaching of strategies we want students to use in all their classes. It's good to know that's happening!
I teach the language of art they will be able to use when discussing a piece of art. We also read out loud giving every student a chance to read and understand. The student will be able to use the vocabulary in their other classes.
Physical educators can both build and use content learning and general literacy skills to acquire knowledge in a specific movement, sport, or fitness context in physical education by journal writing, posting articles about sports and athletics, and completing peer observations.
1st of all - vocabulary. We must use the vocabulary everyday in our class, so when we read word problems that we comprehend what they are talking about. Students need to break down the large problems into pieces so it is not so overwhelming. They need more confidence. Teresa
I feel that I am at an advantage with my students because I am able to individualize each lesson to their specific needs. I also teach all subjects so I am able to relate what we are doing in one to the other three. Mandy Barriger
I love chorus because it gives definition to feelings and emotions. Music gives students the opportunity to show their understanding through performance. I have to make sure that they understand the tools in which they use to perform. Sometimes it is easy to know what dynamics are but to sing softly and crescendo into a forte is an physical example of literacy at its highest.
Part of making sure that my students are literate includes making sure they can not only read and comprehend our content, but also understand the language specific to it. For example, my students are in the process of learning formulas. I am not happy that they just know A=bh. They need to understand what the symbols and letters mean mathematically. Therefore, when discussing formulas with me, they must say Area equals base times height. This is one thing I do to make sure they are literate in math.
ReplyDeleteAs 7th and 8th grade band students prepare for state contest, literacy is a huge part in the scoring process. When a band performs a piece of music, they must express to the audience (or judges)a mood or expression, it is a section of the scoring sheet. They must comprehend the story or imagery of the music and express that in their playing. Now, getting 12-14 year olds to show emotion on stage while scared to death is quite a challenge. But to get that top rating of superior, they must comprehend and be able to break down the parts(aka main idea).
ReplyDeleteI find that students' knowledge concerning vocabulary is critical in SS and Science. For students to be literate in these subjects they have to have a good foundation where vocabulary is concerned. They must be able to read different types of texts in these areas and comprehend them. For example, historical and informational texts read differently from first hand accounts and the more types students are exposed to, the more literate they will become in Social Studies and Science.
ReplyDeleteOne of the good things about teaching all four subjects last year was that I was able to truly see where the curriculums overlapped. I concluded that the subjects truly do have many common areas. The differences however may be the academic vocabulary unique to each subject. Therefore, I put forth effort to be very explicit with the terms that I chose and to integrate academic terms from subjects into other subjects as much as possible. For example, using the word inference in both ELA and science can go a long way. This does help the kids to see the connections as well.
ReplyDeleteIn ELA class, we are constantly teaching and using literacy strategies. These help students not only in ELA but in all core subjects as they take the strategies out of ELA and apply them to SS, Science, Math, and other subjects. Students need these to succeed in school.
ReplyDeleteWith my students I think it is very important that they know not only how to use the different computers and programs, but also what it is they are using. Any student will be able to use the machines and programs after a few weeks of practice, but to be literate they must also know what it is they are using. Most of my vocabulary is parts of the computer or programs that we are using. I try to use as many of the literacy stratagies as I can to make sure the students have a good understanding of what we are using.
ReplyDeleteI believe that to ensure literacy in any course, we must integrate as much vocabulary as possible throughout all subject areas. In Language Arts, I use the Word Within the Word vocabulary program to strengthen student vocabulary and improve literacy. After talking to other subject area teachers, this vocabulary knowledge appears to carry over into other classes. In both Language Arts and Social Studies, I try to use literacy strategies as often as possible to teach and reinforce skills and concepts. Finally, I encourage all students to read as much as possible on their own.
ReplyDeleteVocabulary, reading strategies, note taking skills, and allowing students to use their creativity are all necessities when it comes to elevating student literacy. I think it is also imperative to bring in other core subjects into the language arts classroom to show students that literacy is necessary everywhere they go. Finally, students must read! Practice makes perfect:)
ReplyDeleteOne way to ensure that our students are literate in all subject areas is to make sure they know and understand the vocabulary in each subject area. We teach vocabulary skills in our ELA class everyday. In math, it is just as important for them to know and understand math vocabulary. I try to make sure the students in my math classes know and understand the vocabulary words they hear each day.
ReplyDeleteIn Social Studies, I feel that it is essential for students to know the key vocabulary that are associated with each of the topics that students are studying. They need to know the definitions of each word, but in addition to that I feel students should should know how to form sentences with each vocabulary term/terms as part of the sentence. As students learn how to build better sentences and practice building sentences, the concepts of sentence structure will be constantly reinforced. Whenever possible, teachers should take advantage of the opportunities to help students practice building sentences and learning vocabulary. Even practice essay writing during units and adding an essay component on tests will help. Begin with the basics, and work upwards from there, start with vocabulary.
ReplyDeleteAdam Kennington
In my math classes, I try to make sure that students understand how to read the problems correctly in order to understand what they are being asked to do. For example, how many revolutions are there of a tire when it goes a certain distance. If they don't understand the word revolution they don't know what to do even if they happen to know the formula. Also, kudos to Ms. Crowder, I do the same thing when we are using formulas. A lot of the math comes down to if they understand what the question is asking of them.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all that has been posted. The only thing I might add is that I talk with my students about their understanding. I ask questions and encourage them to ask questions and explain to me what they are not processing. This opens the door for other students to help me "teach."
ReplyDeleteLike Kim, I agree with what has previously been posted. It is interesting to see how literacy strategies and vocabulary are used across subject areas. The year science teachers were able to meet for alignment across grade levels was extremely helpful for me. As an ELA teacher,we were always hearing it is not my job to teach reading, it's yours.It became evident in that science meeting,as we discussed vocabulary necessary for comprehension across grade levels, that teachers were using literary strategies throughout the science lessons. Whether teachers realize it or not, anytime they use a literacy strategy, they are teaching reading. It is not just the job of an ELA teacher, but it is a tremendous help to them.
ReplyDeleteLike the posts by Mrs. Hittle and Ms. Crowder, helping students understand what is being asked of them to do in the problem is essential. Understanding what the terms in the formulas mean and how it applies to typical problems will move students to be "literate" in the content.
ReplyDeleteSuzanne Goble
I try to make sure the kids can read and comprehend our content. For example, I make sure they know what a one rep max is when we are weight training. I also make sure they know how to mathmatically find their one rep max with out actually doing a one rep max, that would injure most of them.
ReplyDeleteKnowing the correct terms and when to use them if important in Math. Just like Hittle and Crowder making sure the students know the connection between the symbols and the words is important. Comprehending a word problem in most of the battle in Math
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading all of your comments (and Mrs. Lackey's response from the ELA teacher perspective). In ELA, we do a lot of teaching of strategies we want students to use in all their classes. It's good to know that's happening!
ReplyDeleteI teach the language of art they will be able to use when discussing a piece of art. We also read out loud giving every student a chance to read and understand. The student will be able to use the vocabulary in their other classes.
ReplyDeletePhysical educators can both build and use content learning and general literacy skills to acquire knowledge in a specific movement, sport, or fitness context in physical education by journal writing, posting articles about sports and athletics, and completing peer observations.
ReplyDelete1st of all - vocabulary. We must use the vocabulary everyday in our class, so when we read word problems that we comprehend what they are talking about. Students need to break down the large problems into pieces so it is not so overwhelming. They need more confidence.
ReplyDeleteTeresa
I feel that I am at an advantage with my students because I am able to individualize each lesson to their specific needs. I also teach all subjects so I am able to relate what we are doing in one to the other three. Mandy Barriger
ReplyDeleteI love chorus because it gives definition to feelings and emotions. Music gives students the opportunity to show their understanding through performance. I have to make sure that they understand the tools in which they use to perform. Sometimes it is easy to know what dynamics are but to sing softly and crescendo into a forte is an physical example of literacy at its highest.
ReplyDelete