Teaching Strategies

Teaching Strategy: Enriching Background Knowledge

In the 8^th edition of the Basic Reading Inventory (Johns, 2001), Jerry Johns points out the need to consider the impact of prior knowledge when assessing a student's oral reading fluency. For example, is the student's oral reading affected by his/her limited vocabulary, background, or concept development? These same considerations are important anytime we assess students' ability to learn new vocabulary and concepts.

In her text, Reading Strategies That Work, Laura Robb (1996) addresses this issue and points out that all too often we as educators blame ourselves when our teaching strategies fail when, in fact, the reason lies in our students' lack of background knowledge. Below are a variety of simple ways to increase the background knowledge of your students to give them the valuable "hooks" upon which they may connect new learning.

Before attempting to introduce new vocabulary to your students, try the following approaches:

• Select books and magazine articles to read aloud.
• Show a video.
• Look at and discuss photographs and illustrations.
• Take a field trip.
• Bring in materials for students to touch and talk about.
• Invite experts to your classroom.
• Use the school grounds.

(Robb, 1996 p.75)

Teaching Strategy: Integrating Technology and Narrative Text: A Poetry Scavenger Hunt

Focus books: None. The Internet is the resource being accessed by students.

1. Objectives:
   
   1. To provide exposure to using the Internet as a resource to find information about poetry.
   2. To provide authentic reading and writing practice.
   3. To encourage collaboration between teammates on a quest for knowledge.
2. Materials: The Poetry Scavenger Hunt, either a paper version for students to fill in or a version retyped into the computer. The latter would be easier if students could simply click on the website rather that typing in the often complex addresses. Hunts could be completed on screen, printed out, and handed in to receive credit. Add your own appealing graphics and specific instructions if you like. Pens, pencils, and scratch paper will also be needed.
3. Instructional Approach
   1. Motivator: If possible, take the class to the computer lab or learning center where the Internet sites can be projected onto a large screen so that all students can see them. Type in the first site (http://www.gigglepoetry.com/) and leave it on the screen for students to view as you begin the lesson. The animation is as delightful as the content.
      
      Ask how many students have ever been on a Scavenger Hunt. You might put a list of typical scavenger hunt items on an overhead transparency, explaining how people would work in pairs or teams, going from door to door trying to gather items to complete their list. The first team to return to the origination of the hunt before anyone else was the winner. Tell the class that they are going to embark on a technological scavenger hunt of a different sort, this time for poetry riches. Involved in a quest for information involving poetry and related sites, they will also be learning about resources they can access in the future on their own.
      
      Return to the first site. Invite students to predict what they will find there. Then explain how the hunt is set up and how it will be conducted. Rules will vary from classroom to classroom depending on the abilities of your students, whether you establish awards for winners, and how you decide to evaluate student work.
   2. Teacher/Student Interaction: Divide the class into teams of three, an easy number of students to work together at one computer. Hand out the paper copies of the Poetry Scavenger Hunt or have students log on to a site where the Hunt has be posted for their use. Discuss how each site comes with a few directions and a question or two to be answered. Correct answers will earn them credit for the site visit. The focus of this hunt is to acquire knowledge about useful Internet sites rather than to be the first team done. Quality team performance with each member participating is a must.
      
      Now, demonstrate the way you would tackle Site 1, selecting "School Poems." Click on the underlined words "Show me all the poems" and read about Freddie. Ask the students to silently answer the question that is posed, waiting until all of the teams are done. Then invite a volunteer to share the answer. Remind the students that this is an informative and entertaining site to return to for further enjoyment once the hunt has been completed.
      
      At this point let the students continue the hunt on their own. Move from group to group to monitor progress and answer any questions that come up. This activity may need to be completed during another session in the computer lab or by the teams during specified times on their own. Completed work is to be turned in according to your directions.
   3. Gatekeeping: Before the hunt begins you will have explained how the completed scavenger hunts are to be assessed. Certainly teamwork, accuracy, and evidence of strong effort are important criteria for success. Add your own specific parameters so that students understand requirements for their learning and performance.
4. Extensions: Encourage students to look for other sites that pertain to poetry and to share them with the class. Teams may re-form and develop scavenger hunts of their own to be completed during free time by other classmates. Students might also bring in books by poets they discover on the Internet and read several of their favorite selections aloud. Without a doubt, there is a wealth of material available on the Internet. Finally, other hunts could focus on novels or move across the curriculum to include topics in science or social studies. The more you and your students look at quality Internet sites, the greater the resources for everyone to use.
5. Adaptations/Modifications for Diverse Learners: The critical element for success in this lesson is the teamwork. Students who are mastering English or working to improve their reading and writing skills can take turns typing in sites, reading aloud, and attempting to answer the questions. Their teammates can read text that is too difficult out loud and help with answering questions, spelling words, or framing sentences together. Additional exposure to reading and to the use of the Internet will strengthen skills in both areas. A number of the sites have audio components. If they can be accessed on your computers, students can listen to the poets themselves sharing their creations. Enjoyable for all listeners, hearing and seeing the printed word is excellent support for diverse readers.

Note: To develop your own scavenger hunt, follow the easy-to-use template available at this Internet site: http://www.qesn.meq.gouv.qc.ca/cc/inclass/scavtem2.htm.

A Poetry Scavenger Hunt:
A Quest for Rhymes, Information, and Giggles
Developed by Carol J. Fuhler

Have you ever been on a Scavenger Hunt
Where you set out to find odds and ends?
A button, some chalk, or a ribbon of red. . .
Well, you're invited on one once again.

This isn't your average scavenger hunt;
This one's quite different, you'll see.
To unravel the clues, it's a keyboard you'll use
Plus teammates numbering one to three.

You'll enter a realm that the poets inhabit
Filled with shadows, and shapes, and surprises.
From silly to serious, from beginner to pro
You'll seek offerings that come in all sizes.

So, gather your wits; study each site with care.
Watch your knowledge begin to grow
Through the questions you conquer at the sites you explore. . .
Are you ready? Get set then, and GO!

Instructions: If you are using a paper copy of the scavenger hunt, type each URL address in carefully. If you are using a computerized hunt, just click on the site and proceed. Follow the directions carefully. Some of the sites are "one, two, or three-click" sites before you can find the answer to your scavenger hunt question. Enjoy the realm of poetry!

1. Giggle Poetry
   URL: http://www.gigglepoetry.com/
   
   Find the School Poems. Click on the underlined words, "show me all the poems." Click on #7: "Freddie"
   
   What does Freddie do that is quite unusual? Who is Freddie?
   
   Click on the icon for Home. Then click on the icon, "Ask the Poet" for the next clue. It can also be reached by the address below.
   
   
2. Giggle Poetry: Site 2
   URL: http://www.gigglepoetry.com/askthepoet/espoet.html
   
   Select the interview with Eileen Spinelli. Read the first paragraph and write down three interesting facts about the poet. She is married to a famous author. Who is that?
   
   
3. Poetry For Kids
   URL: http://www.nesbitt.com/poetry
   
   Click on the icon at the top of the page for "Poems." Click on the poem, "I'm Digging a Tunnel to China." After reading the poem, what equipment do you need to accomplish this task?
   
   
4. Kristine O'Connell George's Poetry Corner
   URL: http://www.kristinegeorge.com
   
   Scroll down the title of Kristine's books. Click on the book of poetry entitled Toasting Marshmallows: Camping Poems to begin. Listen to the poem, "Owl" and write down the vowel sound that you think an owl makes. Then Click on "About Writing Tasting Marshmallows." Read the first two paragraphs where the poet talks about camping. What descriptive words does she use to help you picture her experiences?
   
   Now, click on the poem, "Sleeping Outside" from the book. Why do you think the child in the poem feels so small?
   
   
5. Janet S. Wong
   URL: http://www.janetwong.com/books/buzz.cfm
   
   Read the poem on this page. Where is the bee having breakfast?
   
   In the first paragraph, the author tells us about other poems in the book that describe items that buzz. What are they? Add one additional item of your own.
   
   
6. Magnetic Poetry
   URL: http://home.freeuk.net/elloughton13/scramble.htm
   
   This is an interactive site where you are invited to work with magnetic poetry. Click on the icon next to "I'm a poet. . . " These are rhyming poems for you to unravel. Try unscrambling "The Kitten." Hint: How does every sentence begin? Where are the rhyming words usually found? Write your poem below or on the back of this paper.
   
   To check your work, return to the top of the page. Scroll down to the bottom where you will find directions for finding the unscrambled versions of the poems.
   
   
7. Songs and Poems
   URL: http://www.canteach.ca/elementary/songspoems.html
   
   Click on poems about winter. Read through several of them and find one you especially enjoy. If the poem is short, write it below and circle the rhyming words. Otherwise, just list those words below.
   
   
8. Enchanted Learning
   URL: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/Rhymes.html
   
   Click on the square for the "Five Little Ducks." Read the rhyme from beginning to end. Go back to the beginning and count the number of times the Mother Duck quacks before all of her ducks are back with her.
   
   
9. Listen and Write
   URL: http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/listenandwrite/home.htm
   
   Click on "The World of Wonderwords." Click once again on "What Is a Wonderword?" Write an explanation below. Complete the Now Try This exercise. Submit it. How did you do? Hit Back twice (at the top left of your computer screen) to return to the Saurus Page. If you have audio capabilities on your computer, click a poem and enjoy a well-read poem. Which one did you select? Write the title below.
   
   
10. The Poetry Zone
    URL: http://www.poetryzone.ndirect.co.uk/index2.htm
    
    First, click on The Poetry Gallery to read poems written by students just like you. Then click on "All Sorts" and read three poems. What do you like about your choices? Return to the Home Page and click on "Top Tips" to learn how to get your own poetry published. What are two things you can do to increase your chances of getting published?
    
    
11. Imaginesongs
    URL: http://www.imaginesongs.com
    
    Read down the menu on the yellow border on the left side of the screen. Click on "Little Pencil" and read to find out what is worrying the poet.
    
    Return to the Home Page and click on the Poetry List. Read four different poems. Write down the title of the poem you liked the best. Explain why in just one sentence.
    
    
12. Barking Spiders (and other Such Stuff), Poetry and Stories for Children
    URL: http://www.barkingspiderspoetry.com/index.html
    
    There is wonderful poetry to be read at this site. Click on page 3 and read the poem, "The Quarter." Do you agree with the way the child spent that quarter? What would you have done? Return to the Home Page and click on page 5. Find "The Key" and read it. What would you want the key to open?
    
    

The hunt is now done, Your work here's complete.
Your efforts have been simply sublime.
Do return to your favorites in the poetry realm,
And pen your own words filled with rhythm and rhyme.