Reading
by Kathy Unick
January 08, 2008
Rev up your reading engines
Take a spin on the fast track
Dear Families,
Recently, The Speedsters Reading Group completed a special project in their reading group. The objective of this special project was to develop reading comprehension of factual text through researching, recording, and consolidating scientific information using technology. This synthesis and the navigation of the Web required deductive reasoning and cooperative skills. We used the lap top computers available for use in the classrooms.
The students were astronauts on a mission to another planet in our solar system. Each astronaut was assigned one of the nine planets we had been reading about. They gathered information about their particular destination. They became experts by doing research on their voyage to their specific planet. After exploring it, each student contacted Mission Control on Earth (me) to communicate their impressions and data. Each student had to collect scientific data about his/her planet. Each astronaut designed a crew patch for his/her mission. They also completed data sheets with information about their planet destination. Then each astronaut was responsible for using this information to write a paragraph including facts about their planet and some of their ‘adventures” too! They were required to write the paragraphs in complete sentences, spell words correctly, and use capital letters and punctuation where appropriate. Next, they had a peer conference with another crew member to edit and practice reading the information. Each crew member worked on using a clear, loud voice, making eye contact with their audience and holding their paper still and away from their face. After practice each astronaut presented their data at the debriefing session with Crews from other missions at Mission Control. Mission Control (me) evaluated all of the information presented to determine whether astronauts were “Beginning to Soar”, “Soaring to New Heights” or were at the “Stellar Landing” phase of learning. Each astronaut was congratulated for completing the mission and given an Astronomical Reading Award for being an “Out of This World Space Kid.”
Students created their planet out of papier mache and turned our classroom into a room where “There is always SPACE for reading.” Students, be prepared to go to the deepest part of the ocean on your next journey!
MissionAccomplished!
Over and Out,
Mrs. Unick
Horizons CD
Fast Track
Sometimes parents ask how they can help their child at home. The following is a list of Reading Tips to help get you started.
- Help your child develop a love for reading by reading aloud. Reading aloud is valuable even when students can read on their own.
- Help your child get a library card. Encourage your child to set aside a time for reading each day. Show by example that you love to read.
- Make your house a house of books.
- Encourage your child to tell you about what he has read.
- Supply words your child does not know when he reads to you.
- Build a climate of words at home. Share experiences and extend your child’s vocabulary by discussing them.
- After your child has read a story to you, discuss the story. Ask your child to make up another good title for it. Ask your child to tell you what happened at the beginning, middle and end of the story.
