SB Tip #2
Do you subscribe
to Scholastic/Weekly Reader or TIME for Kids? If not, YOU NEED TO!! These are such
excellent resources that incorporate current events into your reading program.
These magazines come with a digital edition that makes teaching reading skills
absolutely unbelievable and it amazes me how many teachers don’t know about its
potential!
Here is how I
teach using my Scholastic/Weekly Reader:
First, we use the
Vocabulary to Know feature on the digital edition. This teaches the kids major
vocabulary that they will encounter during the reading. The computer reads both
the word and definition aloud. Colorful pictures are included that help enhance
the word’s meaning.
Second, we use the
digital edition cover page and click on the Pre-reading questions. These
questions help activate prior knowledge. Usually there is a quick video clip
that helps add to the reader’s background knowledge.
Third, we walk
through the digital edition together. There are awesome features here, my
favorite being the HIGHLIGHTER. You can opt for the computer to read the
articles aloud while the words light up but I usually read them aloud
myself. We stop every so often to view videos that are embedded or bring up
comprehension questions that are provided.
Fourth, after we
have read through the magazine we play the Trivia Game that tests comprehension
of the text.
Fifth, I have my
students buddy read the entire article and complete the questions on the back
together.
Sixth, (this
happens the next day) we go over the questions on the back and I give the
students the 10 question No Sweat Test Prep Comprehension Check that comes with
the magazine and I take it for a grade.
Here is a picture of a student pulling up a video of a volcano erupting:
Here is a picture of a student playing "Know the News". She is looking back into the passage to double check her answer…YAY!
Even if you do not have a SMART board, you could set the digital edition up on your computers and make it a center for the students. They can even access this at home! Do you have ESL Spanish speaking students? The digital edition has a feature in which you can turn the entire article into Spanish text.
