Module 17 Discussion: Select a Writing Approach

During a Balance Literacy block, students would be writing in response to what they read. The following is how I have conducted these lessons, with the following added support for the ESOL students: images, preplanning charts, planning charts, and charts that guide the writing structures.

90-minute literacy block for grade 3

Reading

Whole Class Activities

• Interactive Read Aloud: Read texts aloud to students, stopping to ask questions, model reading strategies,

• Mini-lesson: covers reading strategies, explicit instructions

Small Group/Independent Activities (Daily Rotations)

• Guided Reading: common needs, new text,

• Strategy Groups: students may work alone or in pairs with individual books, working on the same strategies.

• Independent Reading: Students are given time to read their books, and reflect on what they are reading either verbally or in writing

• Student Conferences: Teachers check for understanding of text/strategy, reteach, book discussions

Whole Class Activity

• Share/Reflection: teacher reinforces the main teaching point or lesson objective. Share a few positives that were noticed as the students were working.

Writing

Whole Class Activities

• Modeled Writing

• Shared Writing

Small Group/Independent Activities

• Guided Writing

• Independent Writing

• Student Conferences

Word Study 2-3x week

Whole Class Activity

• Phonics • Spelling • Vocabulary