[LIT] What is the most effective thing you do as a literacyteacher?

[Melinda Haynes]

I start class this way, and end the morning reading time with a quick "turn and share" with a neighbor--What are you reading?  What happened that surprised you today as you read?  What connections are you making with the author's message in your book?  Can you and your neighbor find similarities or differences in your books by talking about character traits,  motivations, changes?  I have an anchor chart for "turn and talk" morning chats to get them jumpstarted...After awhile, they no longer refer to this scaffold.

Also, when appropriate, I may put a specific question on the board relating to a lesson the day before...For ex., if I taught a mini-lesson on how authors reveal characters, I may direct the morning "turn and talk" to chat about how they are getting to know the characters in their books.

Sometimes, but not everyday, I may then ask them to respond to this direct question on an index card, and share out with the class if they'd like.  I can use this data to inform me on who is applying strategies, etc. to their independent reading, and who I may want to invite for a small group lesson for additional scaffolding or practice or modeling.

Have a blessed day!

Melinda Hawkins
5th Grade ELA/SS
McCulloch Intermediate School
Highland Park ISD
(214) 780-2325
haynesm at hpisd.org