READING FOR MEANING!
I have taught for 14 years in Canada. In my first year as a teacher, I was shown that young readers need to learn strategies in order to capture meaning and retain content. They need Reading, Writing, Math and Study Strategies.
The key is to teach them how to learn not what to learn. In reading, this happens best with appropriate high interest content and quality writing. I’ve found that kids love humour, vivid illustrations, and reading partners. I’ve also found that if strategies are taught in the right way, then the fun can include predicting, visualizing and using intonation to activate comprehension, improve retention and include drama.
K. Zentner
(Bachelor of Education)
(Bachelor of Commerce)
From the Author
I’ve shown you two of the strategies for Creating Meaning in Reading. (Click above or scroll down.) They are simple. And that’s why they work! The I – WE – YOU! Teaching approach is also quite simple. It works in almost every learning situation. I use it to teach strategies in reading and writing. But it works great in art and with sports skills as well.
I will be publishing the parent workshop booklets that I used with the parents of my students in Grades 2, 3 and 4. This will be part of a general strategies booklet including all of my strategies for teaching reading (And maybe some writing as well.) Read more…
For some of my books, I will also produce teaching materials, such as Narfing sheets or ideas, sentence analysis coloring symbols and keys, exploding sentence starters, ideas for written responses, student responses to practice thinking skills, and suggestions for activities to build imagination. I have an activity that builds knowledge of vowel spellings based on Sound City. Its actually spelling but it teaches decoding at the same time.
I’ve got a lot of stories written and many more to write. I’ve also got a lot of work to do on educational materials, so check in with me once in a while.
Thanks,
Kevin Zentner