We need to do better for our struggling readers and reluctant writers. I understand the reality of test scores, whether SBAC or SAT, often dictate how we approach the teaching of reading and writing. And after a year in which my students' test scores did not make the gains I wanted, it would be easy to abandon my philosophy of student choice and voice, instead opting for more teacher control and more direct instruction.
But I can't do that. I'm doubling down on the power of "wow." This week, Jennifer Serravallo's Reading Strategy 9.2, from The Reading Strategies Book, captured my attention as I reviewed our 6-8 ELA curriculum. The strategy, titled "Reading with a Sense of 'Wow'" invites students to "[a]pproach the text expecting to learn." How incredibly powerful for us to help our readers develop a mindset of curiosity and wonder. Using this strategy, and modeling it ourselves, will help students to have more "'Wow, I never knew...'" moments. Of course, for me, it means making sure that I am offering students high interest non-fiction that promotes questions for students to consider. As I have been doing, I searched for a partner Writing Strategy from her The Writing Strategies Book. Of course she delivered! Writing Strategy 4.8 "Find Your Passion to Focus" fits perfectly with "Reading with a Sense of Wow". In this strategy, students are asked to "Identify [their] passion and/or what [they] really think, feel, and believe." Students want to explore what they find important, especially at the middle school level. Whether students are writing to inform, explain, or persuade, they are more likely to invest into the writing process, which is time consuming and challenging, if they are writing about topics that move them. This is why finding high interest topics for their reading selections is critical. When partnering these two strategies, we can help students examine texts with curiosity, pointing to the ways in which the author captures and keeps our attention. Then, set them loose to use their passion and interest to create their own writing that captures and keeps their audience's attention.
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July 2018
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