November 3, 2017: Using Technology to Teach Literature Standards
For the last blog, we wanted to focus on the ELA standards for reading literature and find websites that could be used to instruct, assess, and support students’ knowledge in the classroom. Many of the websites cross into both informational and literature standards, as they’re very similar, but we found some additional resources and will focus exclusively on reading literature.
Into the Book:
This is a web- based resource focusing on eight comprehension strategies (using prior knowledge, making connections, questioning, visualizing, inferring, summarizing, evaluating, and synthesizing.) There is a teacher area and a student area. Students learn about the strategies and then try them out with interactive texts. (Combs, 2012, p.196).
Rob says: I played around with the website and thought it was neat. I think it’s important to teach strategies or “what good readers do’’ along with the ELA standards, because the comprehension strategies will help students as they read text and apply the strategies. The idea is that these are things we always want students to do when they first encounter unknown text. We have to build that mental model of what good readers do so that students can mentally check off each strategy as they apply it. The website offers a lot of interactive features that offer great practice and will keep students engaged.
Education Galaxy:
Education Galaxy features activities that students can complete for all of the Common Core Learning Standards. It’s differentiated and learner focused in that it adapts to student responses. If students get questions correct, they progress; if they get them wrong, then a video tutorial pops up, which offers supplemental instruction in the topic so that students can try again afterward. In “game mode,’’ the website meshes learning and fun as students answer questions correctly to progress to various games and other activities that they can complete while learning. Likewise, and similar to “study mode’’ if students don’t get the question correct, the tutorial pops up. It doesn’t allow students to simply skip through or incorrectly answer questions, which is great for students who may be looking to “speed through’’ the lessons.
Rob says: I would absolutely use this in my classroom and in fact wish I had known about it! I like how it’s set up to be standard focused so that it’s trying to practice one skill that you are assessing. Too often we give the students assignments or assessments that cover a range of skills so it’s hard to “tease out’’ student knowledge. This website focuses on one specific skill at a time, such as finding the main idea or theme, for example. I like how it’s set up in a test- like format, because students will need to be able to navigate the tests (it’s a form of literacy,) but it goes at the student’s pace and will stop to provide assistance should they need it. The games, while not completely necessary, are more motivating and provide buy in for the students. After so many questions, they get to play games, and then go back to work. It’s a nice incentive.
Learning Farm:
This is a website that is very similar to Education Galaxy, but is tweaked to the individual state’s standards so if there are any differences, teachers can rest assured that the students are practicing only those standards that they will be assessed on. This website has a few differences from Education Galaxy that I’d like to outline. The first-- and main difference -- is that for each standard, there’s a “view lesson’’ feature, which provides succinct and simple explanations ( a mini lesson) for students who may be struggling with a topic. It provides both the text and audio so students can have it read aloud to them, which is great especially for our struggling readers. From the lesson it proceeds into sample passage and question(s) so that students have the opportunities to apply the skills that they have just learned. There’s a “hint” feature if students get stuck, and there’s an explanation if they get the question wrong or right; it doesn’t let you go on until you select the correct answer. There’s a “test mode’’ so students can further practice their skills and a “game mode’’ -- which like Education Galaxy -- offers students opportunities to play games while answering questions. I think these type of websites would be beneficial and provide the motivation that our learners need.
Rob says: Like Education Galaxy, I really enjoy this website! I would definitely utilize both as independent work for students to complete at their own pace. It provides great and simple direct instruction as well as ample opportunities to practice until they really “get it.’’ It’s great!
Literably:
Literably is a website that can service students from kindergarten up through seventh grade. It allows teachers to monitor their student's progress in reading. Literably administers and scores a student’s reading abilities, as well as a few comprehension questions. When students use Literably, they read a section that fits their guided reading level/literacy level aloud, and the app constructs a running record for the teachers to see along with a data report. Teachers can use these generated reports to help them plan out their lessons and units for future instruction, individual student intervention, or for reports to guidance counselors and principals.
Lauren says, “While never having personally used Literably, it seems like an easy enough resource to utilize! I also really like that it’s possible to use in either whole group, small group/centers, or individual student instruction. It makes planning your assessments easy, especially if you have students who are frequently absent. You can just adjust your assessments accordingly! I also appreciate that Literably lets teachers know if it was unable to score a student’s running record due to background noises, something that could be an issue during centers. This website really helps teachers to manage their reading assessments!”
Front Row (ELA):
Front Row is a website that is similar in style to Khan academy. It allows students to practice their reading skills, and quizzes them as they move through different segments of the lessons, creating benchmark assessments for teachers. As students work to complete lessons and quizzes, teachers can access their student’s data and determine if a more personalized intervention strategy is needed, or if they need to review a whole topic as a class for better clarification. Front Row (ELA) offers students the opportunity to practice with both fiction and non-fiction reading selections, that are leveled to meet your individual student’s needs and abilities. Students can also practice their reading skills by answering comprehension questions and writing prompts, as well as working on word studies to improve their sight word skills, and ultimately their reading abilities!
Lauren says, “I absolutely love Front Row and cannot wait to try it in my own classroom one day! I just learned about this website at a literacy teacher’s conference and I think that it’s something that is user friendly, fun for the kids, and easy for teachers and parents to navigate. The other really cool thing about Front Row, is that it can help students in STEM areas as well, making it a great all around resource for any teacher to use!”
Kelly Gallagher.org
Shantelle Says: I recently read Readicide by Kelly Gallagher. I loved the book so much I had to check out his website http://www.kellygallagher.org/. This website is flooded with information on how to teach reading. Kelly Gallagher coined the term “readicide” after he recognized the joy of reading is being murdered in schools by the constant requirements to read for a reason. Students stopped enjoying reading because it always assessed. They aren’t allowed to just read for the sake of reading in schools anymore. He emphasized it is the instructor's purpose to instill the love of reading in their students and to stop committing “readicide”. His website provides tips and tricks on how to do just that. He also recognizes that students struggle with reading because they lack the background knowledge necessary to understand reading in the content areas. KellyGallagher.org has ‘articles of the week’ to help enhance student’s background knowledge. He also provided a plethora of instructional resources for both reading and writing. If you would like to know more about his instructional practices and teachings, Kelly Gallagher holds workshops for educators around the nation. For more information you could also check out his blog on his website.
Membean.com
One of the biggest contributors to poor literacy skills is the lack of vocabulary. http://membean.com/ says it provides guided, engaging, multimodal vocabulary instruction with an Adaptive Reinforcement Engine that helps students retain what they learn. ELA teachers use this website for students at all ability levels. The website provides resources to improve students vocabulary with videos and pictures. It also gives instruction on root words and word maps. It provides anecdotal stories using certain vocabulary words, which increase the student's ability for comprehension and teaches them how to use context clues to figure out word meaning. The website also allows the teacher the option of setting up for ESL students and students with disabilities. The user can turn on extensions in order to have tests read to students, if that is included in their 504 Plans or IEPs. Students can also use the website for test prep for the SAT or GREs.
Shantelle says: I love that teachers in my school use membean.com for everyone. It is utilized in AP classes as well as CT classes. It’s an excellent resource to help build vocabulary and background knowledge, which are key components to reading comprehension. My district is buying a subscription to the website, but there are free features. If you’re not convinced, check out the website and read some of the testimonials! https://membean.com/buzz.
