Genre as a Series: Finding Predictability in Complex Genres

Literacy Publications & Consulting CollingeRead Side by Side Literacy P

Presented by Sarah Collinge

readsidebyside.com

Common Core State Standards

Workshop 1:

What do the Common Core State Standards require?

Key Requirement: all students must be able to comprehend texts of steadily increasing complexity as they progress through school.

Genre

Workshop 2:

Closing the gap between reader and text.

Teaching genre to unlock comprehension.

Moving beyond the basic definition of each genre.

Workshop 1:

Key Requirement: all students must be able to comprehend texts of steadily increasing complexity as they progress through school.

2006 ACT, Inc. report “Reading Between the Lines”:

51% of college bound students were proficient in reading according to the 2006 ACT Report.

Why?

ACT Strand: Inferential Thinking

ACT Strands: Strategies & Skills

ACT Strand: Complex Text

Define Complex Text

Qualitati

ve Deman

ds Quantitative Demands

Reader and Task

Common Core State Standards: Appendix A, p. 4

Quantitative Demands

Word length

Word frequency

Sentence Length

Text Cohesion

Typically Measured by Computers (Lexile, AR)

Quantitative Grade Bands

CCR = College Career ReadinessCommon Core State Standards: Appendix A, p. 8

Turn and Talk

According to quantitative measurements,

what grade level should be reading Steinbeck’s

The Grapes of Wrath?

680 Lexile Level

Qualitative Demands

Multiple levels of meaning

Implicit purpose

Figurative language / dialect

Complex structure

Sophisticated genre

Background knowledge necessary

Why?

Increasing the complexity of the text increases student competency with strategy/skill work.

Increased Rigor

The strategy stays the same, but the rigor increases in more demanding text. Exp. Predicting & Summarizing

Why?

Strategies & skills are more likely to transfer.

Strategies are used when we are stuck

Awareness of the need for strategies increases progressively in more challenging texts

When students see strategies as valuable tools for comprehension, they will be more likely to use those strategies in other contexts (independently).

Reflection

I completely agree with…

It surprised me to hear…

I am wondering…

Workshop 2:

The Common Core State Standards demand all students must be able to comprehend texts of steadily increasing complexity.

How do I close the gap between reader and text?

Close the Gap

Provide Modeling & Support – Gradual Release Model

Reading-Speaking-Listening Link

Build student’s reading comprehension through both being read to and reading independently. Gradually shift this balance as students progress in age.

1 6 13

Com

preh

ensi

on

Listening Comprehensio

n

Read

ing c

ompr

ehen

sion

Age

Common Core State Standards: Appendix A, p. 26

Close the Gap

Build Background Knowledge

Genre

Subject Matter

Vocabulary

Genre

Treat genre like a series; make it comfortable!

Did you know?

Readers find comfort in what is predictable.

Character

Setting

Plot

Genre

Teach students what is most important to the genre.

Realistic Fiction

Historical Fiction

Fantasy

Science Fiction

Nonfiction

Most Curriculums Teach the Definition Only

Beyond the Definition

Read and Reflect

Look at the genre charts.

What are you learning?

What are you wondering?

Beyond the Definition

Practice / Turn and Talk

1. Read Midnight Hero by Su Montour

2. Reflect:

How do these supports help you navigate this genre?

Did the text feel comfortable?

Did you know what was important?

Genre and the MSP

How does knowing this information about genre help students on the MSP?

Determine the genre.

Review the genre chart.

Predict the theme/message.

Read and answer the questions.

Close the Gap

Broaden Text Experiences

Expose students to a range of genres in instructional read aloud

Align subject matter and genre to increase student success in complex text

Strategically plan your scope and sequence to connect books/themes across the year and years

Sample Scope and Sequence

5th Grade

4th Grade

Reflection

I completely agree with…

It surprised me to hear…

I am wondering…

Tomorrow

The C. I. A. Approach to Reading Chapter Books

Workshop 3: Teach a Plan of Action

Collect

Interpret

Apply

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sarah@readsidebyside.com