Literacy in the mid level social studies classroom

1. Literacy in the mid level social studies classroom Sarah Sitzer Arkansas State University Fall 2016, MAT Program

2. What is literacy? • Reading- comprehension and recall • Text books, chapter books, emails, magazines, brochures, menus • Writing- conveying own thoughts on paper • Literacy- the ability to read and write. Knowledge that relates to a specified subject. (Merriam-Webster).

3. What is Literacy in the 21st century? • Literacy also encompasses technology. • Social Media • Twitter • Facebook • Instagram • Blogging • Personal Webpages • Having a complete and thorough understanding of your field of study- being an “expert” in your content area.

4. My personal experiences with literacy • My Own Public Education: • Comprehension struggle/distraction • Skills learned: • Annotating • Note taking • Summarizing • Paraphrasing • Re-reading • Preschool Teacher: • Early literacy importance • Exposure • Visuals • Sounds • Repetition • Practice

5. Common Problems: • Text Books are hard! • Text complexity vs. Reader- reading level • Knowledge of strategies and skills • 4th grade seems to be a pivotal point for students. • Fast-paced • More independence • Less Individualized instruction

6. How do we as teachers help? • Effective teachers do the following when lesson planning: • Decipher the CCSS Objective • Identify the key outcomes in specific skills or knowledge. • Find or design the appropriate lesson to meet expected outcomes • Consider all students levels of learning and needs • Select a variety of texts. • Various text-complexities and reading levels. • Teach comprehension strategies to help struggling readers

7. Ideas for new teachers • Social Media in the Classroom. • Padlet (Pinterest format) • KidBlog.org • SchoolTube.com • Talk Groups/Book Clubs • Letter writing • Journal responses • Project-based learning • First Person Narratives

8. Integrating literacy

9. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR TEACHERS IN SOCIAL STUDIES or science? • Opportunities to learn and practice literacy are crucial in ALL content areas. • Students are engaged in critical thinking about content area. • Literacy and other content areas go hand-in-hand. • Note taking skills • Comprehension • Paraphrasing • Summarizing • Talk groups/ book clubs • Journal writings • Project based learning opportunities

10. How do you teach literacyin social studies? • Opportunities for critical thinking • Different point of views- • Economist vs. Sociologist • Pilgrim vs. Indian • Farmer vs. Merchant • “Reading Like a Historian Project” (Stanford University) • Primary sources • Research • Investigative thinking • Fun, Hands-On

11. Specific instructional approaches (1) • Project-Based Learning/Inquiry Units (RocketReaders.org) • Student choice • Research • Includes primary sources, pictures, multiple perspectives • Project Fair to share what they’ve learned. • Examples- Vietnam War, Great Depression, WWII, etc. • Why I like this approach: • Critical thinking skills • Research skills • Several Mini lesson opportunities • Hands-on, Active, Students are engaged.

12. Specific instructional approaches (2) • Response Notebooks (RocketReaders.org) • Students respond to course readings • How did the reading make you feel? • What did you like most? • What did you dislike about the reading? • What do you think about… • Students can read their responses aloud or participate in classroom discussions with peers and teacher. • Why I like this approach: • Gives insight • student’s thoughts • level of understanding.

13. Specific instructional approaches (3) • Directed Reading Thinking Activity (RocketReaders.org) • (DRTA) • Why I like This Approach: • Encourages students to be active and thoughtful readers. • Activates prior knowledge • Students monitor understanding • critical thinking skills

14. Specific instructional approaches (4) • Exit Slips • Written student responses • Three categories of exit slips (Fisher & Frey, 2004). • Prompts that document learning- “How could today’s lesson be used in the real world?” • Prompts that emphasize the process of learning- “Write one question you have from today’s lesson.” • Prompts to evaluate the effectiveness of instruction-“Did you enjoy working in small groups today?” • Why I like this approach: • Quick, informal assessment so teacher knows what (if anything) to review or re-teach from the lesson. • Teaches students to think critically • Allows students to reflect on what they have learned.

15. Creating a Learning Environment • “School Family” atmosphere • Classroom jobs • Wish Well Board • Conscious awareness • Diversity acceptance • Modeled by teacher • Practiced by peers • Family and Community Involvement • Cultural research project and learning fair • Community Improvement project • GirlScouts, 4H, BoyScouts, BETA Club

16. Ensuring Students are reading to learn • Reading and writing daily (assessments through writing) • Journal quick starts • Passage responses • Exposure to outside sources • journals, magazines, documentaries • Enhanced content material- NOT just the textbook • PRIMARY SOURCES • Research projects • Group projects • Talk groups • Class discussions

17. Final Thought How can we as teachers expect our students to fully understand our lessons if we do not give them the tools they need regarding literacy, comprehension, and understanding?