Constructing Comprehension: 

Building Content Area Reading Strategies

                                                                                 

This WebQuest is for all pre-service teachers, but primarily for

those with 5th – 12th grade content specific areas. 

Other teachers, both beginning and veteran,

will benefit from participating in this WebQuest as well. 

 

Designed by Heather Schilling

 for EDTEC 550 - Ball State University

 

 

 Menu

 

Scroll through the WebQuest or click on the following buttons to take you to the appropriate location.

 

INTRODUCTION                     THE TASK                                 THE PROCESS   

EVALUATION                          CONCLUSION                            REFERENCES    

  

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Introduction

 

Imagine your ideal classroom.  Here all children read at or above grade level and interact with the selections you have asked them to read.  They come to class fully comprehending the reading assignment, ready to engage in a lively discussion in order to further their understanding of your content area.  Unfortunately, this image is just that:  ideal.  In reality, even some of your best students struggle with reading your textbooks or other selections, no matter how carefully you select the material.  In order to best prepare your students to interact with the reading materials you ask them to read, as an excellent teacher you must have some strategies in your toolbox to help your students succeed!

 

This particular WebQuest is created for students enrolled in my Educ 352 course, Adolescent Exceptional Learners, at Manchester College, but it can be used by anyone.  Students enrolled in this class must choose a unit they will be teaching during their student teaching practicum and write standards-based lesson plans that cover the content.  This WebQuest is designed to help them discover reading strategies they can implement in their unit.  The more teachers keep in mind their students’ different learning styles and reading abilities, the more they will ensure mastery of the material in their content area. 

 

All of the following activities ask students enrolled in Adolescent Exceptional Learners to post their activity on the Discussion Board in Blackboard OR to post it on their professional web site.  If you are enrolled in this class and DO NOT have a web site, please talk to your professor immediately. 

 

Menu

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

The Task

 

After completing this WebQuest, you will

 

·                  Create a visual representation of a KWL chart that indicates what you already know about reading in the content, what you want to know about reading in the content, and what you learned at the end of this WebQuest.  You will post this KWL chart on the Discussion Board for our class.

 

·                    Create a Venn diagram that compares and contrasts struggling readers and proficient readers.

 

·                    Identify the three stages of reading as well as specific strategies in these areas.

 

·                    Create a list of ideas/concepts/vocabulary words important to a specific unit of study in your content area using Inspiration.

 

·                    Develop an activity that either introduces the vocabulary to your unit or reinforces the comprehension of the vocabulary.

 

·                    Create a PowerPoint presentation that Identifies five reading strategies that will aid in the full understanding of your content area and describe specific activities for your unit.

 

·                    Complete a web search in which you investigate and evaluate at least four web sites related to your selected unit.  You will represent your findings in a brochure.

 

·                    Write a standards-driven WebQuest in which you use one of the web sites you evaluated in the above outcome.

 

·                    Create a poster in which you remind students of the reading strategies helpful to understanding your unit.

 

 Menu

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

The Process

 

By completing the following steps, you will discover how to help your students better comprehend reading in your content area as well as compile and implement specific strategies for your subject.  Before you begin, print off this checklist in order to keep track of your progress.  As with our approach to learning, if you have an idea that truly enhances and represents your learning, please run it by your professor!

 

PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING STEPS IN ORDER. 

 

1.  Use this KWL chart as a model to create your own Word document or use Inspiration to create a visual diagram that represents the ideas of the KWL chart.  In regards to reading in your content area, complete the three aspects found on the chart.  Before beginning this WebQuest, indicate what you already know about reading in your content area in the "K" category.  For the "W" category, indicate at least five things you want to know about reading in the content area, especially your content area.  Save your word document or Inspiration web until you are finished with this WebQuest.  Once you have completed all of the activities or as you make your way through the WebQuest, complete the final section.  Under "L", indicate what you have learned. Post your word document or Inspiration diagram on the Blackboard under Discussions.  There is a thread marked "KWL for WebQuest." 

2.  Use either Kidspiration or Inspiration to create a Venn diagram in which you compare and contrast proficient readers and struggling readers.  Use Reading in the Content Areas:  Strategies for Success and Metacognitive Behaviors of Good and Poor Readers to help you find the characteristics.  After you have found information from this site, add your own ideas from your experience.

3.    Using Word or some other form of visual representation, create a three column chart in  which you   can record information about the different stages of reading (see sample below).  At the top of the    columns write stage one, stage two, and stage three.  Use Reading in the Content:  Strategies for Success and Metacognitive Behaviors of Good and Poor Readers in order to identify the three stages of reading.   Post your findings under the Blackboard Discussion.  There is a thread marked "Stages of Reading."  

    1. Under each column, define the particular stage.
    2. Indicate 2 specific strategies that a teacher can use to enhance each stage of reading.  These can be general strategies that all content teachers can use.

 

Stage one

Stage two

Stage three

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOR THE REMAINING ACTIVITIES, YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE A SPECIFIC UNIT OF STUDY FOR YOUR CONTENT AREA IN MIND…

 

4.     Use Inspiration to create (1) a vocabulary web and (2) a vocabulary activity.

    1. At the center of your web, choose a graphic that represents your content area.
    2. Generate a list of at least ten vocabulary words students need to know to fully comprehend your unit.  These words should radiate from the center.
    3. From each of these words, then, provide another level to the web that defines each of the words.
    4. Using the Literacy Matters web site's section Reading:  Vocabulary, find a vocabulary activity you feel would be appropriate for your selected grade level and subject area.  This should be an activity that introduces or reinforces the comprehension of the vocabulary in your selected unit.
    5. Use Inspiration to create a web or outline that represents your vocabulary activity.  This should include justification for why you chose this particular activity.

 

  1. Using this web site,

    http://www3.dist214.k12.il.us/admin_depts/staffsupport/SchoolImprovement/ncareading/PAGESread/indexncaread.htm

    research five reading strategies for your content area, focusing in particular on your unit topic. 

    1.  Take notes on the web sites you visit. 
    2. Identify which of the 3 stages of reading the strategies fall under.
    3. Define in your own words each strategy.
    4. Provide an example of each strategy in the context of your unit.
    5. Using PowerPoint, create a slideshow that represents your findings on the five different strategies.  Make sure you have fully covered the topics in B, C, and D.  If you have another creative way of representing these strategies, perhaps via your own web page, please check with your professor to okay the alternative project.

 

  1. Do a web search that is specific to your unit. 
    1. Locate four web sites that will enhance your specific unit.
    2. As you investigate, make sure you keep track of the title of the web site as well as the url.
    3. Summarize what a student can find on the web site.
    4. Explain how each web site will enhance your unit and lead to better comprehension of your content.
    5. Create a brochure using MS Publisher or some other publishing suite that covers the four web sites your investigated.  Make sure you have covered letters C and D in your brochure.
    6. Post your favorite web site on the Blackboard discussion for our class under the thread "Favorite Content Reading Web Site"

 

  1. Create a WebQuest that incorporates at least one of the web sites you selected in the above activity.  Your lesson plan must contain the following:
    1. Identify the academic standards covered in your WebQuest.
    2. Indicate the objectives for your WebQuest.
    3. List the materials needed to complete your WebQuest.
    4. Create a specific step-by-step procedural list for the teacher and students to follow.
    5. Identify the assessment/evaluation of the WebQuest.
    6. Indicate what specific modifications can be made for an exceptionality of your choice.
    7. In a paragraph, identify how your lesson has met the needs of different learners.  Keep in mind learning styles.
    8. Provide your professor with your URL so she can view your WebQuest.

 

  1. Create a visual representation of reading strategies students should use in your content area, particularly for the unit you have selected.  A variety of ways to create this visual representation exist:  Kidspiration, Paint, MS Publisher, a web site, etc.  The point is that it can be added to your personal web site and can be viewed from cyber world.

 Menu

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

Evaluation

 

Each of the eight activities is worth 10 points, for a total of 80 points for this WebQuest.

 

Each activity will be graded on the following criteria:

·                    directions were fully followed

·                    activities were completed and described fully

·                    evidence that time was spent on the activity

·                    neatness/grammar/spelling

 

The following grading scale will be used for each activity.

 

10 points    The activity is completed fully with no errors.        

 9 points    One spelling/grammatical error                                                              

 8 points    One of the criteria listed above is neglected or two errors                                      

 6 points    Three spelling/grammatical errrors

 0 points    Two or more criteria listed are neglected or four or more errors

 

Menu

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

Conclusion

 

After you have completed this WebQuest, you should have a better understanding of reading strategies that you can implement in your content area and specifically in your selected unit.  Reading is not a skill developed in English class.  All content teachers are responsible for the continuation of developing good reading skills in their classrooms.  Students will enter your classroom eager to learn or reluctant to learn.  Many will already possess reading skills that enable them to easily comprehend your content area and the text you ask them to read.  More, however, will struggle with the reading.  Obviously, by implementing the many strategies you have discovered and explored through this WebQuest, there are specific things you can do as a content area teacher to ensure that all students in your classroom comprehend the material. 

 Menu

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

Credits and References

 

Web sites used include:

 

Literacy Matters at

http://www.literacymatters.org/

 

Muskingum College Reading Comprehension at

http://muskingum.edu/~cal/database/general/reading.html

 

Reading Page at

http://www.bcps.org/offices/lis/models/tips/readingpage/strategies.html

 

Staff Support Services for Township High School District 214 in Arlington Heights, IL at

http://www3.dist214.k12.il.us/admin_depts/staffsupport/SchoolImprovement/ncareading/PAGESread/indexncaread.htm

 

Teaching Today at http://www.glencoe.com/sec/teachingtoday/educationupclose.phtml/12

 

 

Menu or back to the Heather Schilling's Homepage