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Gift Wrap Writing

12/19/2012

‘Tis the season…to rip paper off of gifts! If that happens in your home, be sure to save as many scraps of paper as you can. Cut them into small pieces (about 4x4). Hand them out to students in the New Year and provide them with a writing prompt meant to elicit a brief response. After students have written their response, direct them to fold the paper up as if it was a gift, and exchange it with a peer.

Such a simple way to add some novelty, emphasize that sharing ideas is similar to gift giving, and reuse wrapping paper!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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Reading Trios

12/10/2012

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Recently I was asked about ideas for engaging students in cooperative reading. One that has stood the test of time is called Reading Trios. I originally learned this strategy as part of a reading comprehension workshop by Dr. Ed Gickling. It is both simple and effective, two criteria that are important to most teachers. It can also be used at any grade level or in any content area.

Begin by assigning students to trios. Generally, it is best to make these mixed-ability trios if everyone will be reading the same content.

One student takes on the role of READER. Her task is to read aloud the text (usually 1 – 3 paragraphs.)

One student takes on the role of RETELLER. His task is to retell what was read aloud to their trio.

One student takes on the role of CHECKER. Her task is to listen closely and try to catch the reteller missing something.

Engagement levels are very high during Reading Trios. Why? The READER is reading aloud, the RETELLER is paying very close attention because they don’t want to get caught missing something, and the CHECKER is engaged because they hope to catch the reteller missing something.

An additional benefit of this strategy is that it provides valuable roles for students who may not be strong at reading aloud. Often, students with reading disabilities have learned to be very good listeners.

I facilitated this strategy in three different classrooms last month and all three teachers agreed that it is an approach they will add to their reading tool kit.

Interested in seeing the strategy in action? View this excerpt from a BER video entitled Making Inclusion More Successful and see fourth graders using reading trios to explore social studies text.

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Gift Wrap Writing

Reading Trios

Anne M. Beninghof

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