EDLI635 Theory and Practice of Literacy Instruction

1) All words can be categorized into three levels. The first level encompasses all familiar words most children already know. These words obviously don't have to be taught because children automatically pick them up as they learn to speak and build their vocabulary. The second level indicates words that are a bit harder but come up a lot in books, the news and daily conversation that children should learn and know. The third level are unique words specific to certain disciplines or highly technical in nature and don't necessarily have to be taught as part of vocabulary instruction, but rather students will learn them as they come up in different subject areas. The ELA teacher should focus on the second group since students are not so familiar with those words but it would certainly expand and enrich their vocabulary. 2.   "Chunking" is a great way of decoding unfamiliar words. Instead of isolating each letter, students who have advanced beyond the initial early ...

1.   How can you ensure that your struggling readers have access to texts they can easily read? By setting up a class library with age appropriate books divided into categories and genres, children can choose books they are interested in and feel comfortable with to practice reading and improve fluency. It is important for teachers to carefully select books for the classroom library to make sure they will pique students' interest and align with the overall grade level as well as span the different levels ranging among individual students. 2.   How can you foster a learning environment in which students have many opportunities to practice reading? By making sure students have access to texts they can actually read, teachers increase their students' opportunities to practice reading. It is also beneficial to use various methods of reading instruction, including whole group and small group instruction, as well as individual coaching.  3.   Describe ways i...

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