Reading is Funtastic! Teacher Guide
Web Institute for Teachers 2002
Mishawna S. Manning
Menu
Introduction
Aim
Rationale
Audience
Prerequisites
Subject-Matter
Goals and Objectives
Instructional Plan
Materials
Assessment and Evaluation
Appendices
Introduction
Click here to return to Menu
Aim
To provide web based instruction about the reading workshop with activities student can complete at home or at school via the Internet
Click here to return to Menu
Rationale
Children know they must learn how to read. What's missing from their learning experience is the sheer joy. Today, students spend more time watching images via television, DVD and video games and less time reading. Reading is fast becoming a chore as opposed to a hobby. Students need guidance on how to become independent readers of print they enjoy and find useful in their everyday lives. The Internet is a means of providing students with incentives to read more through fun and interesting activities and web sites.
Click here to return to Menu
Goals and Objectives
Reading is Funtastic! provides online reading activities for students to accompany a reading workshop designed to increase the frequency of reading ultimately improving the reading skills and knowledge of students.
Students will be able to:
- compile a list of reading material (tradebooks & online material);
- maintain a record of books read;
- incorporate strategies into daily reading patterns to improve comprehension, fluency, vocabulary and writing skills
- read literature online; and
- respond to literature via the Internet using graphic organizers, journals, online discussions and projects;
Teachers will be able to:
- view a list of student reading interests for planning purposes
- direct students to focus on specific strategies as reinforcement for the classroom activities based upon interests
- collect student data on the reading comprehension, vocabulary development and writing
This module incorporates the Chicago Public Schools Reading Initiative, an uniform instructional framework encompassing reading comprehension, fluency and writing, with a literature-based integrated curriculum. It directly correlates to the State of Illinois Goals and Chicago Academic Standards:
STATE GOAL 1: READ WITH UNDERSTANDING AND FLUENCY.
CAS A. Apply strategic reading behaviors to examine, construct, and extend the meaning of a wide variety of texts to be informed, to perform a task, and for literary experience.
CAS B. Use a wide variety of word analysis strategies to construct meaning from unfamiliar text.
CAS C. Make and support inferences when reading nonfiction text, relating structure, organization, and content to the textual purpose.
STATE GOAL 2: UNDERSTAND EXPLICIT AND IMPLICIT MEANING IN LITERATURE REPRESENTING INDIVIDUAL, COMMUNITY, NATIONAL, WORLD, AND HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES.
CAS A. Distinguish among authors' use of literary elements, forms, and devices in significant works of literature representative of various societies, cultures, eras, and ideas.
CAS B. Compare and contrast themes, patterns, and relationships present in a variety of fiction and nonfiction reflective of different cultures, historical periods, and perspectives.Click here to return to Menu
Audience
Intermediate and upper school students, grades 4-8
Click here to return to Menu
Prerequisites
Students are expected to have a general idea of the components and functions of a PC. Instructions on acceptable use of the Internet as well as parental permission must be given prior to use of this curriculum web. Students need an email account and know the teacher's and other student email usernames.
Teachers: Gain access for class to use Book Adventure and RIF Reading Planet and visit links page for students and teachers. Teachers must have an email account and know student email usernames.
All computers should be connected to a printer.
Click here to return to Menu
Subject-Matter
Literature in all areas of the curriculum: math, science, social science, health, etc.
Click here to return to Menu
Instructional Plan
Time: Orientation of this module will take about 50 minutes. Time allotment for use of each component is dependent upon the task. The module should be used throughout the year.
Implementation:
- Set web browser to Internet Explorer. Bookmark Reading is Funtastic!
- Students will click on "Students" or a specific activityto begin the curriculum web.
Click here to return to Menu
Materials.
Pencil and paper are optional.
Click here to return to Menu
Assessment and Evaluation
Each stage of Reading is Funtastic! has an assessment component. Selecting Books has a form that students can generate their interests. Instead of emailing this form to me, they should print the page without submitting. Book List activities create a list of books students may record in a reading notebook. If your students use Book Adventure, you can view the student page. Responding to Literature activities can be used to assess the students understanding of literature read.
Click here to return to Menu
Appendices (optional, if needed)
Resources
Glossary