My strategy that I plan on using is pattern puzzles. This strategy is fairly simple and could be used across grade levels and cross curricular. A list of ideas or information that the class has been studying is presented to the class in a mixed up order and then the students have to sort out the information according to categories pre-determined by the teacher. The other option is to have the information sorted, but not correctly to see if the students can correct the mistakes. This strategy is done after reading.
I am going to read the book From Tadpole to Frog by Wendy Pfeffer. To introduce the subject, I will let the students watch a video on YouTube about eggs hatching into tadpoles. Then I will read the book aloud to them. After we have discussed the video, book and life cycle, I will pass out cards that have the various stages of the frog's life cycle typed out on them. There is room for the students to illustrate the part of the cycle that is on their card. They will then put up the cards on a life cycle chart in the correct order.
The other strategy that I am going to use is the dialogue comic strip. This strategy helps students to learn to summarize and make inferences during their reading. This activity should be done during and after reading. It can be used with narrative or expository text. If the dialogue comic strip is used with a narrative text, the comic strip can be between two objects or animals, for example, a canvas talking to the paint if you are studying VanGogh, or for math, one side of the equation talking to the other side.
In this lesson we are going to read the book Weather words, by Gail Gibbons. To summarize what the students have learned, they are going to chose a topic to put in the comic strip. I would give them suggestions like having a dialogue between thunder and lightening, or clouds and rain. The text that they write to go with the picture or comic has to demonstrate something that they have learned about the weather vocabulary that was in the book.
Comments (4)
Both of your strategies are great for second grade. I will be focusing on animal life cycles soon and can use your strategy. I think students will find the strategy engaging because they are able to do several things with the information they are learning. I really like how you tied the YouTube video into your lesson.
Posted by Gloria Bowman | March 22, 2010 8:17 PM
Posted on March 22, 2010 20:17
I love the dialogue comic strip idea! It gives students a chance to use their creativity to relate to a topic and show their own interpretation. For a novel, the RWT website has the comic creator ready to use for those who need some help getting started. As popular as Diary of a Wimpy Kid is in my room, I'm sure they would love this activity. Thanks!
Posted by Rachel Monroe | March 22, 2010 8:38 PM
Posted on March 22, 2010 20:38
I like how you have demonstrated two student friendly strategies. Both puzzles and comic strips will engage the students. Integrating science is a bonus.
Posted by Lucy Cook | March 22, 2010 8:48 PM
Posted on March 22, 2010 20:48
Lori, your pattern puzzles sounds a lot like the book acting strategy that I used. The students have to think about the story and put it in sequential order. I think this is very helpful to have the visual with the sequencing. In book acting we retold the story and pinned up the pictures on a clothesline.
Posted by Julie | March 23, 2010 3:12 PM
Posted on March 23, 2010 15:12