Reading information texts with joy and tears

1. Reading information texts with joy and tears Ms KWOK Wing-ki, Judy (SSDO) Ms MAK Shuk-han (Panel Head) T.W.G.Hs. LEO Tung-hai Lee Primary School

2. Outline • What does the Curriculum Guide (2004) say about information texts? • What are the expected learning outcomes? (TSA test items) • How is reading information texts different from reading other text types? • What strategies have been used by teachers Leo Tung-hai Lee Primary School to tackle information texts?

4. Why are information texts so special? • Complex within text types (in terms of text features and language) (charts, coupons, expositions, labels, leaflets, lists, menus, notices, personal descriptions, picture dictionaries, product information, rules, signs, tables, time-tables)

5. Why are information texts so special? • Complex across text types (expositions (describe objects/process) classified as information texts in KS1 and explanatory texts (argument, point of view) in KS2)

6. Concerns at the implementation level • Textbook: Equal emphasis for each text type across levels • Students’ need: more practice

7. What are the expected learning outcomes? • based on the TSA (2004 - 2007) • expect learners to understand, not to produce • focus on identifying text types, understanding text features and comprehending the content

8. Identify the text type 07 TSA P.6

9. Identify the text type 07 TSA P.6

10. Identify the text type 07 TSA P.6

11. Comprehend the text features 07 TSA P.3

12. Comprehend the text features 07 TSA P.6

13. Comprehend unfamiliar vocabulary 07 TSA P.6

14. How is reading information texts different from reading other text types ?

15. A BIRD IN THE THE HAND

16. Top/Up (readers’ expectation, prior knowledge about the topic, associated vocabulary, text types) Down/Bottom (sensory input: words, format and display method) A BIRD IN THE THE HAND

17. What prior knowledge do our students bring to the classroom? 06 TSA P.3 Chinese

18. Teaching Strategies for Reading Teacher Support Storytelling Independent Reading Reading Aloud Reading Workshops Supported Reading Shared Reading Source: Curriculum Guide

19. The strategies used at Leo Tung-hai LeePrimary School Curriculum level Introduce supplementary exercises into daily T&L choose non-narrative texts

20. The strategies used at Leo Tung-hai LeePrimary School Classroom level

22. Text Content: KWL Strategy (know, what to know, learned) An instructional reading strategy that is used to guide students through reading (pre-reading, while-reading, post-reading activity)

23. A KWL Chart

24. Teaching Steps A P.6 lesson 1. Revised the book concept and text features, e.g. blurb and contents page etc 2. Pupils predicted what they would learn in the topic ‘Not enough food’

25. Teaching Steps 3. Group work: KWL (K: What they know about the topic?) 4. Group work: KWL (L: What they want to know about the topic?)

27. Teaching Steps 5. Provided focused questions for silent reading 6. Teacher went through the text with pupils: explained vocabulary, introduced the glossary and index etc 7. Read aloud together 8. Individual work: KWL (L: What have they learnt about the topic? Check their predictions)

28. Teacher’s Reflection

29. Teacher’s Reflection

30. The strategies used at Leo Tung-hai LeePrimary School Curriculum level Introduce supplementary exercises into daily T&L choose non-narrative texts Integrate with the module

31. A P.5 lesson: Teaching a notice TWGHs Leo Tung-hai Lee Primary School 19thNovember 2007 Dear Parents, We will have a Sports Day at Tin Shui Wai Sports Ground on 25th November 07 (Mon). The following is the timetable for the Sports Day. Teaching focus in mind: (1) Understand text features (grades & events) (2) Recognize target vocabulary (3) Comprehend the notice – high order thinking (application)

32. Teacher’s Concern: Without any support, students may not be able to guess word meaning (a challenge) • Notes/Rules: • Athletes should be punctual for every event. • Athletes should wear their sports uniform and sports shoes. • Athletes should be responsible for the disqualifications caused by breach of rules and regulations. • Athletes who enter more than one event should bear a risk of time clash. This may result in their own decision to give up one event or the other. • All the audience should NOT disturb the events to proceed. • All the audience should NOT bring any leisure games. • All parents are welcome to join our Sports Day but not for children under 3. • Please sign the reply slip and return it to the class teacher on 20th November. If you have any questions, please contact Miss Lam at 2591 3013. • Thank you.

33. Teaching Steps • Elicited prior knowledge (Have you ever joined Sports Day?) 2. Used mind map to help Ss decode the information in the notice.

34. Sports Day Kinds of sports People Date Time Venue Ball Games Athletic Events Athlete Audience - - - -Badminton - - - - - • Long • Jump • - • - • - • - • - • - • -Boys: Grade A /B/C • - - teachers - - Mind Map for organizing information

35. Teaching Steps 3.Teacher read aloud the rules with Ss and asked Ss to circle the words 4. Asked Ss to use word web to guess the meaning of the vocabulary 5. Asked Ss to discuss the cases in pairs or groups

36. Rules Punctual Give Up • - on time • - not to be late • - do not bring Gameboys • - prevent something happened • - cannot be continued • - cannot join the events or competitions • - break the regulations • - two things happen at the same time • - cannot do one of the two things Use Word Web to organize new words

37. High Order Questions- Focus on Application

38. Cater for Learner Diversity

39. Graded Worksheet TWGHs Leo Tung-hai Lee Primary School 19thNovember 2007 Dear Parents, We will have a Sports Day at Tin Shui Wai Sports Ground on 25th November 07 (Mon). The following is the timetable for the Sports Day.

40. Notes/Rules: • Students should be punctual for every event. • Students should wear their sports uniform and sports shoes. • Students should prepare their food and drinks. • Students should do the warm-up exercise before joining the events. • Students should NOT disturb the events. ( Walking across the track is not allowed.) • Students should NOT bring their Gameboy or playing cards. • All parents are welcome to join our Sports Day. Please sign the reply slip and return it to the class teacher on 20th November. If you have any questions, please contact Miss Lam at 2591 3013. Thank you.

41. Core Part: Consolidation work at home 1. Who wrote the notice ? 2. Who should read the notice ? 3. When should I return the reply slip to school ? 4. How many athletic events on the Sports Day ? 5. If I have any questions, what should I do ? 6. If I am the audience, can I wear school uniform on that day ? Why ? 7. If I don’t know the grade John belongs to , do I know at what time he can join the 200-metre Race ? Why ? 8. Can I bring my Gameboy on that day ? Why ?

42. Teacher’s Reflection Text features : use explicit teaching Text content : use KWL and Mind/Word Web – thinking tools to decode information

43. Extended Activity: Collect information texts • Ask students to collect • a particular type of text • Ask Ss to read an authentic text, • complete the worksheet (focus on text features only)

44. Conclusion • Modular planning: Integrate with the theme • Teaching focus (Skill, Knowledge, Attitude) • Spiral learning (repeated learning) • Small teaching steps (text features, text content) • Reinforcement

45. Thank you!