Teaching the Dimensions of Literacy

by Kucer; Stephen

• ISBN13: 9780805850208
• ISBN10: 0805850201
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-07-06
• Publisher: Lawrence Erlbau

Summary

Teaching the Dimensions of Literacyprovides the conceptual knowledge to support teachers' instructional decisions in the reading/literacy classroom and features a multitude of instructional strategy lessons for classroom use with both monolingual and bilingual students. Its premise is that literacy comprises four dimensions--linguistic, cognitive, sociocultural, and developmental. In the debate over literacy instruction, and in many reading/literacy methods texts, one dimension tends to be privileged and the others ignored. In this text, the teaching and learning of all four dimensions of literacy are acknowledged and addressed. The four dimensions provide a coherent conceptual framework within which instructional strategy lessons are identified, synthesized, organized, and presented--demonstrating how the complex nature of literacy can be addressed within a classroom setting. *Part I introduces the conceptual framework for teaching and learning the dimensions of literacy.These chapters reflect the authors' belief that literacy instruction involves more than passively following and implementing a series of recipes, but rather, is a conscious, reflective, and constructive process whereby teachers enact instruction based on their knowledge of their discipline. In an age of standardized curricula and tests, more than ever teachers are needed who are capable of taking on responsibility for promoting literacy learning of their students. This requires a deep understanding of what reading and writing entail linguistically, cognitively, socioculturally, and developmentally. Part I helps teachers acquire this understanding. *Part II presents the instructional strategies.The book is structured so that teachers who are required to implement a particular literacy program can select strategy lessons to supplement their curricula. For teachers who develop their own programs the strategy lessons provide a base from which to do so. The instructional strategy lessons provide various avenues though which to teach the particular literacy dimension on which the chapter is focused. All strategy lessons are formatted the same way: concept, materials, procedures, variations, sample instructional materials. Each lesson can stand on its own. Teachers can select those activities they find most appropriate for their own instructional context. The strategy lessons can be easily modified as required by the needs of the teacher and students. *Part III illustrates what a dimensional literacy curriculum might look like in the classroom,helping teachers to organize strategy lesson instruction within a logical framework. Teaching the Dimensions of Literacycan be used as a primary or supplementary text for pre-service and in-service elementary reading, literacy, and language arts methods courses. The user-friendly format makes this text particularly appealing as resource teachers will want to purchase and use independently of any university course.

Table of Contents

Preface	xv
I: Exploring the Dimensions of Literacy
Introduction	3	(4)
Highlighting Versus Isolating the Teaching and Learning of the Dimensions of Literacy	5	(1)
Overview	6	(1)
The Multiple Dimensions of Reading and Writing	7	(42)
The Linguistic Dimension: The Reader and Writer as Code Breaker and Code Maker	7	(13)
The Cognitive Dimension: The Reader and Writer as Meaning Maker	20	(16)
The Sociocultural Dimension: The Reader and Writer as Text User and Text Critic	36	(11)
Conclusion and Summary	47	(2)
The Developmental Dimension and Instruction	49	(22)
The Learner as Scientist and Construction Worker	49	(6)
From Collaborative to Independent Abilities	55	(4)
Organizing Strategy Lessons for Internalization	59	(2)
Variability and Literacy Development	61	(3)
The Phonics Question	64	(1)
Conclusion and Summary	65	(6)
II: Strategy Lessons
Teaching the Linguistic Dimension of Literacy	71	(58)
Using Conventions of Written Language Strategies	73	(12)
Editing Own Writing	74	(3)
Editing Conference	77	(3)
Editors' Table	80	(2)
Minilinguistic Writing Strategies	82	(3)
Exploring Letters and Sounds Strategies	85	(12)
Alliteration	86	(2)
Alphabet Books	88	(2)
Phonics Generalizations	90	(3)
Rhyming	93	(2)
What Is in My Name?	95	(2)
Spelling Strategies	97	(14)
Crazy Spelling	98	(2)
Independent Word Study	100	(3)
Investigating Spelling Patterns	103	(2)
Mnemonics	105	(1)
Spelling Wall Chart	106	(2)
Word Walls	108	(3)
Features of Text Strategies	111	(18)
Previewing	112	(4)
Aiding the Text	116	(2)
Publishing and Celebrating	118	(2)
Reading Text Signals	120	(6)
Writing Text Signals	126	(3)
Teaching the Cognitive Dimension of Literacy	129	(174)
Audiences and Purposes Strategies	131	(18)
Classroom Newspapers	132	(2)
Creating Narratives	134	(2)
Independent Reading	136	(3)
Independent Writing	139	(3)
Patterned Poems	142	(2)
Persuasive Writing	144	(2)
Researching Big Questions	146	(3)
Idea Generation Strategies	149	(34)
Brainstorming Writing Ideas	150	(2)
Card Strategy	152	(6)
Character Development in Writing	158	(2)
Crossing the Communication Systems	160	(2)
Help Me	162	(1)
Immigration Autobiography Interviews	163	(2)
KWL	165	(3)
Personal Journal	168	(1)
Quickwrites	169	(2)
Setting a Story	171	(2)
Sketching Character	173	(3)
Storyboard	176	(2)
Wordless Picture Books	178	(2)
Writing Topics List	180	(2)
Written Conversation	182	(1)
Learning From and Through Others Strategies	183	(22)
Teacher Reading	184	(2)
Shared Reading	186	(2)
Choral Reading	188	(2)
Guided Reading	190	(2)
Paired Reading	192	(2)
Tape-Assisted Reading	194	(1)
Language Experience Approach	195	(2)
Teacher Writing	197	(2)
Shared Writing	199	(2)
Choral Writing	201	(2)
Guided Writing	203	(1)
Paired Writing	204	(1)
Organizing Meaning Strategies	205	(26)
Beginning, Middle, End	206	(2)
Cloning an Author	208	(2)
Flowcharts	210	(2)
Life Story Time Line	212	(1)
Reading Card Sort	213	(5)
Semantic Mapping	218	(3)
Text Sets	221	(3)
Structured Stories	224	(2)
Time Lines	226	(1)
Venn Diagrams	227	(2)
Writing Card Sort	229	(2)
Reader Response Strategies	231	(24)
Add, Zoom, Flashback, Squeeze, X-Tend	232	(3)
Author's Chair	235	(1)
Circle Check Out	236	(2)
Character Development in Reading	238	(3)
Literature Response Groups	241	(2)
Interpretations	243	(5)
Save the Last Word for Me	248	(2)
Say Something	250	(2)
Making Text Connections	252	(3)
Reading and Writing Block Strategies	255	(20)
Extra Words	256	(2)
Reader-Selected Miscues	258	(3)
Reading Wall Chart	261	(3)
Selected Deletion/Multiple Known Concepts	264	(3)
Synonym Substitution	267	(3)
Think Aloud	270	(2)
Writing Wall Chart	272	(3)
Using Context Strategies	275	(18)
Concept Webs	276	(2)
Predictable Books	278	(2)
Predicting Word Meanings	280	(4)
Selected Deletion/Single Known Concept	284	(4)
Selected Deletion/Multiple Unknown Concept	288	(5)
Writing Revision Strategies	293	(10)
Revision Circle	294	(3)
Having a Conference with Yourself	297	(2)
Writing Expansion	299	(2)
Minicognitive Writing Strategies	301	(2)
Teaching the Sociocultural Dimension of Literacy	303	(68)
Text Contexts, Functions, and Characteristics Strategies	305	(14)
Reading Across the Disciplines	306	(3)
Functions of Literacy	309	(2)
Literacy Use Audit	311	(3)
Neighborhood Literacy Walks	314	(3)
Signs and Their Contexts	317	(2)
Let's Get Critical Strategies	319	(38)
Boys Will Be Boys; Girls Will Be Girls	320	(3)
Class Conflict Stories	323	(2)
Critical Response	325	(2)
Exploring Critical Issues	327	(3)
Gendered Fairy Tales	330	(3)
Uncovering Hidden Meanings	333	(5)
Inquiry Charts	338	(3)
Points of View	341	(3)
Multiple Voices	344	(2)
Outrageous Viewpoints	346	(3)
I Seem To Be, But Really I Am	349	(2)
Writing About Critical Issues	351	(3)
Problem Posing	354	(3)
Language and Power Strategies	357	(14)
Exploring Written Dialects	358	(3)
Dialect Dictionaries	361	(2)
Power and Language Forms	363	(2)
Sell It!	365	(2)
Signs, Functions, and Power	367	(4)
III: Putting It All Together
A Dimensional Literacy Curriculum	371	(22)
Thematic or Inquiry Units	371	(5)
Teacher Reading and Student Response	376	(1)
Independent Reading and Student Response	377	(1)
Independent Writing, Conferencing, and Publishing	377	(1)
Conclusion and Summary	378	(1)
References	379	(10)
Indexes
Author Index	389	(4)
Subject Index	393