Creating Flexible Thinkers Using Short Text
To support flexible thinking with fluent readers, use the same short text to teach different comprehension strategies. First, choose two comprehension strategies from Chapter 7 in The Next Step Forward in Guided Reading. Then select a short text with few decoding challenges. The goal is to teach strategic thinking - not decoding. If you have to drop a level to make the reading easier, do so. You will use the same text over two days. On Day 1, students independently read the text for surface understanding. Next, use the comprehension cards and introduce the first of your chosen strategies. Comprehension cards can be found on the resource page of this website or on the online resources of Next Step Forward in Guided Reading (NSFGR). For example, you might choose Module 11 -VIP Nonfiction (pg. 268 NSFGR) on Day 1. After you model the strategy, have students practice it on the text. Then tell the students they will be reading the same passage tomorrow but changing their thinking strategy. On Day 2 introduce a second comprehension strategy. Perhaps you use Module 12- Turning Headings Into Questions (pg. 269), or Module 25 – Key Word Summary (pg. 282). At the end of Day 2, review both comprehension strategies. Tell students why they are practicing different strategies on the same text – you are showing them how they can be flexible thinkers! Explain how thinking differently about the same text will deepen their comprehension. Sources for short texts include:
Non-fiction: https://newsela.com/; http://www.heinemann.com/products/E01194.aspx;
http://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/category/title/scholastic-news; http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/guidedreading/short_reads_nonfiction.htm
http://www.heinemann.com/products/E01194.aspx;
Fiction: http://Storyworks.scholastic.com http://storyworksjr.scholastic.com; http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/guidedreading/shortreads.htm
Written by: Ellen Lewis, Reading Teacher and Next Steps Guided Reading Consultant
ellenlewis100@gmail.com
