Reading and writing are very important parts of literacy. Often when literacy is promoted in schools, it is one of these two types of literacy that are the focus. Reading and writing provides an opportunity for learners to engage with ideas and concepts that they may not have otherwise been exposed to. Reading and writing are not only important in English Language Arts classes, but is essential across the curriculum. Examples of reading and writing literacy activities may include: reader's theater, reading circles, genre studies, free-writing, journals, letters, writing scripts, etc.
Tips and Tricks
Reading and writing are processes. Some learners excel in these two areas, and some learners find them to be more challenging. Here are some ideas for before, during, and after reading to enhance understanding. By enhancing understanding of the text, writing response to the texts should become easier.
Before reading students could make adjunct displays or KWL charts.
During reading students could Read-Think-Pair-Share to peer interaction and conversations to facilitate learning. The students could also engage in reciprocal teaching, a process that is effective for struggling students as well as strong students. It provides and opportunity for students to summarize, question, clarify, and predict.
After reading students could engage in response writing. Click here for some literature response activities. Students could also try an activity such as tossed terms to review readings.
Reading and writing are processes. Some learners excel in these two areas, and some learners find them to be more challenging. Here are some ideas for before, during, and after reading to enhance understanding. By enhancing understanding of the text, writing response to the texts should become easier.
Before reading students could make adjunct displays or KWL charts.
During reading students could Read-Think-Pair-Share to peer interaction and conversations to facilitate learning. The students could also engage in reciprocal teaching, a process that is effective for struggling students as well as strong students. It provides and opportunity for students to summarize, question, clarify, and predict.
After reading students could engage in response writing. Click here for some literature response activities. Students could also try an activity such as tossed terms to review readings.
Some great links for reading and writing are:
- Click here to see a neat seven step story planner that you can modify for your students!
- Click here to see how one teacher encourages her student's to write more descriptive sentences.
- Click here for a website with some great teacher resources for literature in the classroom.
- Click here for a website that breaks down the parts of speech so students' can better understand.
- Click here for a link that will help you (the teacher) mark essays more efficiently.
- Click here for a word chart or here a chart on word context.
- Click here for an awesome PowerPoint on reading strategies.
- Click here for a great website with reading strategies.
Need some lesson plan ideas for incorporating reading and writing into the classroom? Check out this section!
- Have students read and write different types texts such as: newspapers, journals, letters, books, blogs, poems, online articles, etc.
- Read to the students!
- Play reading games such as the ones at PBSKIDS.org
- Read a story to the students, and before completing the story have the kids write the ending. The students can then read their endings to a partner. After, you can read the actual ending of the book and compare the similarities and differences.
Below is a video with some awesome
reading and writing literacy quotes!
reading and writing literacy quotes!
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Check out this link for some great "Read Aloud" books for grades K-4!
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What does the Alberta curriculum say about reading and writing?
"Reading and writing are powerful means of
communicating and learning. They enable
students to extend their knowledge and use of
language, increase their understanding of
themselves and others, and experience enjoyment
and personal satisfaction.
Reading provides students with a means of
accessing the ideas, views and experiences of
others. By using effective reading skills and
strategies, students construct meaning and develop
thoughtful and critical interpretations of a variety
of texts. Writing enables students to explore,
shape and clarify their thoughts, and to
communicate them to others. By using effective
writing strategies, they discover and refine ideas
and compose and revise with increasing
confidence and skill."
"Reading and writing are powerful means of
communicating and learning. They enable
students to extend their knowledge and use of
language, increase their understanding of
themselves and others, and experience enjoyment
and personal satisfaction.
Reading provides students with a means of
accessing the ideas, views and experiences of
others. By using effective reading skills and
strategies, students construct meaning and develop
thoughtful and critical interpretations of a variety
of texts. Writing enables students to explore,
shape and clarify their thoughts, and to
communicate them to others. By using effective
writing strategies, they discover and refine ideas
and compose and revise with increasing
confidence and skill."