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Balanced Literacy Resources
Resource Topics:
Introductory Workshops:
Workshop One: Overview of Balanced Literacy
Workshop Two: Independent Writing
Workshop Three: Independent Reading
Workshop Four: Modeled, Shared, Guided and Interactive Writing
Workshop Five: Shared and Guided Reading
Advanced Workshops:
Workshop One: Going Deeper into Balanced Literacy, Reading, and Technology
Workshop Two: Going Deeper into Balanced Literacy, Reading, and Technology
Balanced Literacy Research Articles
Surveys:
Region 8 Balanced Literacy Survey
| Workshop One: Overview of Balanced Literacy |
Session Resources:
Workshop Agenda (.pdf file)
Balanced Literacy and Technology Explore Worksheet (ms word file)
Balanced Literacy Activity Grid (.pdf file)
Virtual classroom
Inspiration Tutorial
Examples of hypertext reading:
Atoms: http://education.jlab.org/atomtour/index.html
Mummies: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/media/tv/mummy/index.html
Women’s history (through slide 5): http://www.pbs.org/stantonanthony/
General Workshop Resources:
NYC DOE Primary Literacy Performance Standards
http://schools.nyc.gov/Offices/TeachLearn/OfficeCurriculumProfessionalDevelopment/pslit.htm
Teacher-created English Language Arts projects for grades K – 2 posted on the NYNET
http://www.nynetresources.org/Future%20Grant%20Projects/englishk2.htm
Reading Online
http://www.readingonline.org
While this online journal/web site is not specific to balanced literacy, it is one of the best resources on teaching literacy through technology out there right now. The Electronic Classroom section lists specific teaching ideas from researchers and teachers; throughout the site, there is a vast variety of resources including monthly website reviews, new research articles, transcripts or articles based on presentations at conferences and many other things. The Reading Online site is sponsored by the International Reading Association.
Balanced Literacy
http://www.thekcrew.net/balancedliteracy.html
The K Crew has been using balanced literacy since 1996 and has amassed a wealth of information and ideas on their site. The pages are organized according to the components of balanced literacy as well as center ideas they have used. There are also summaries of good professional development books and price information from Amazon if you would like to add to your professional library on literacy instruction.
Read, Write, Think
http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/
This excellent website maintained by the International Reading Association contains a hefty database of lessons that make use of technology to support balanced literacy. The ever-increasing set of lessons are classified according to grade (from K – 12). One example of a technology-enhanced shared reading activity for K -2, is Gingerbread Phonics, which can be found at http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=114
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Workshop Two: Independent Writing |
Session Resources:
Workshop Agenda (.pdf file)
Sites on educational weblogs used in the workshop:
- http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/14/technology/circuits/
NYTimes article, “Can Johnny Blog?”
- http://childrensbooks.about.com/cs/childlitblogs/
- http://webtools.cityu.edu.hk/news/newslett/edublogs.htm
- http://www.kids-space.org
Kids-space: Of particular interest are the StoryHour, Beanstalk Stories, and StorySpace portions of the site.
General Workshop Resources (For Teachers):
Publishing Student Work Resources:
A Young Writers' Round Table, via the Web (NYTimes password required) http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/14/technology/circuits/14peer.html
New York Times article on publishing student work online, includes links to various online publishing sites.
Empowering Student Learning with Web Publishing
http://www.siec.k12.in.us/~west/article/publish.htm
This is a great article written for teachers on publishing kids’ work online.
Kid Pub
http://www.kidpub.org/kidpub/
This is one of the oldest and largest databases of kids’ work on the Internet. Since 1995, this site has given kids a space to publish their writing, find out more about being a writer, and even given awards to the best stories. Currently there are more than 42,000 stories linked to this site! Of particular interest is the Schools area, which features the work of students by school. Appropriate for any grade that publishes written work.
Educational Weblog Sites:
Weblogs in Education - Edublogs
http://webtools.cityu.edu.hk/news/newslett/edublogs.htm
This is an article from the WebTools site that discusses the use of web logs in education.
Writing and Peer Editing Handouts and Resources:
Units of Study for Primary Writing
http://www.unitsofstudy.com/toc_lc_nl.asp
This site lists selections from Lucy Calkins curriculum for minilessons from Heineman.
Seattle Public School Writing Standards
http://www.seattleschools.org/area/acastan/stan/writ/Write3.xml
This site lists the standards for Grade 3 writing in the Seattle Public Schools. It also has links to scoring according to the Six Trait writing scoring process, and a nice link to a chart on the developmental stages of writing.
Professional Resources on Independent Writing:
Independent Writing
http://www.davenport.k12.ia.us/walcott/directory/Independent%20writing.htm
This is a good overview on the steps and goals of independent writing.
Key Components of Independent Writing
http://walledlake.k12.mi.us/WebShare/Literacy/writingindep.html
This page has links to other pages about each of the key components of independent writing such as publishing, drafting, writing for an audience, etc. Subsequent pages offer concise definitions of each of these components.
For Students (Upper Elementary):
Kids Scribe
http://www.brightinvisiblegreen.com/kidscribe/
Kids Scribe is a bilingual Spanish and English site for kid authors. Students can read the stories of other kids from around the world, post their own stories, learn jokes, and follow their “Groovy Links” for other educational Spanish and English sites for kids.
KidsCom
http://www.kidscom.com/create/write/write.html
KidsCom is a site with games and learning activities for kids that focus on education and Internet safety. The URL listed above is for the writing page where students can read stories of other kids and post their own. Appropriate for independent readers, middle to upper elementary.
Peer Edit Response Form
http://litsite.alaska.edu/uaa/workbooks/writetrait/peeredit.html
This site is a sample handout to use to guide peer editing. It is appropriate for upper elementary, particularly once teachers have gone over the goals of fluent writing and editing.
For Students (Lower Elementary):
PBS Kids: Arthur
http://pbskids.org/arthur/games/poetry/
This page is part of the Arthur pages on the PBS kids site. It is appropriate for early readers (with assistance) who may be familiar with the Arthur cartoon show and books. The site features a new poem every day; it also allows students to write a poem of their own and post it to the site.
KidsSpace
http://www.kids-space.org/forms/story/formS_month.html
Students in the early elementary grades can use this subsection to create stories with scaffolding.
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| Workshop Three: Independent Reading |
Session Resources:
Workshop Agenda (.pdf file)
General Workshop Resources (For Teachers):
Resources for Professional Information on Independent Reading:
These websites list overviews of independent reading as a component of balanced literacy. Each one has ideas for teaching independent reading, definitions of independent reading and various reading terms relating to those definitions.
General Resources (For Students):
Graphic organizers and other Resources to support or scaffold independent reading:
Each of the following sites offers a graphic organizer handout that can be printed out to give to students and/or instructions on using graphic organizers in reading. Depending on which organizer you choose, these can be used with either upper or lower elementary students.
Material to Read:
Lil’ Fingers
http://www.lil-fingers.com/storybooks/index.html
This online site contains simple stories for students to read on their own. Some stories are read aloud to the children (good for kindergarten).
KidsSpace
http://www.kids-space.org/story/story.html
This is a subsection of the enormous KidsSpace site, which has stories and literacy information for kids and teachers. This subsection, called StoryBook, lists stories written by kids for kids; in this section, they can read the work of other students around the world.
Climate Change in the Artic
http://www.utmsi.utexas.edu/people/staff/dunton/k12/index.htm
This popular website discussing climate change in the artic uses narrative to introduce expository text. Excellent material for independent content reading in the upper elementary years. One of several excellent literacy lessons featured on http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/, the ReadWriteThink website maintained by the International Reading Association.
Electronic Magazines Specifically for Kids:
Most of these are suitable for students who will be reading independently (middle to upper elementary). National Geographic and World Magazine tend to be a bit more sophisticated but have excellent graphics and illustrations to aid in comprehension of difficult information.
Reading Logs:
The following sites are examples of reading logs that you can print out and give to students to track their reading during independent reading time in class and at home. Most are best for middle to upper elementary but can be filled in by parents for lower elementary students.
Search Engines:
Yahooligans: www.yahooligans.com
Google: www.google.com -- no advertising on main page, easy to use
KidsClick: www.kidsclick.org -- run by children’s librarians
Internet Public Library: www.ipl.org -- another vast resource for kids, particularly upper elementary, that includes a plethora of resources.
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| Workshop Four: Modeled, Shared, Guided and Interactive Writing |
Session Resources:
Workshop Agenda (.pdf file)
Thinkquest: Millennium Mystery Madness
http://library.thinkquest.org/J002344/
This ThinkQuest concerns the components of mystery. Of special interest to teachers and students may be the section on the Anatomy of a Mystery, which explains the necessary components in writing mysteries. This is also an excellent way to become familiar with the vasy ThinkQuest library of resources.
General Workshop Resources (For Teachers):
General References on Guided Writing:
Targeting Text A Guided Writing Project
http://www.discover.tased.edu.au/english/targeting.htm
This website has teaching ideas for a guided writing project called “Targeting Text”. While the entire project may not be of use, the definitions of guided writing and inclusion of research by Jan Turnbull are of interest.
Guided Writing
http://clerccenter.gallaudet.edu/Products/Perspectives/may-jun99/malik3.html
This article on guided writing is actually in an online journal on education and deafness. It has an excellent overview of guided writing as well as specific teaching strategies.
Online Writing Lab
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/internet/resources/
This is the host site of the Online Writing Lab (OWL). The link to Teacher Resources includes information on lesson plans, and the online journals Teaching English with Technology and the Writing Instructor.
Smartwriters
http://www.smartwriters.com/
Smartwriters is a great resource for teaching both reading and writing. Their online journal often profiles famous children’s authors and reviews new books (great for adding to your classroom library without having to read every new book that comes out). The Teaching Reading and Writing section has profiles and teacher stories on teaching literacy in a variety of classrooms.
For Students (Upper Elementary):
Online Writing Resources for Children
http://www.zianet.com/cjcox/edutech4learning/onlinewritingresources.html
This is another site of links to resources for student writing, particularly websites that showcase student writing. Each site is profiled and linked from the links page. Many of the sites are appropriate for ages 7-12, and include tips and tricks for teachers as well.
Young Writer's Clubhouse
http://www.realkids.com/club.shtml
This site hosts Young Writer’s Clubhouse, a site designed for upper elementary kids who are interested in becoming writers. There are links to interviews with children’s and young adult authors, tips on being a writer, other kids’ writing, and places to get critiques on your work.
CyberSleuth Kids
http://cybersleuth-kids.com/sleuth/Language_Arts/Writing_Resources/
This is a writing resources site for kids hosted by the CyberSleuth Kids Internet Search engine. Each of the links on the site is to a writing page that is appropriate for kids to use in learning to write. Many of the sites are interviews with famous children’s authors on how to write a particular genre – i.e. how to write science fiction/fantasy with Jane Yolen. Appropriate for upper elementary.
For Students (Lower Elementary):
http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/poetry/jack_your_poem.htm
http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/poetry/jack_brainstorming.htm
These sites contain author Jack Prelutsky’s tips for writing poetry. Appropriate for Grades 1 – 4.
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| Workshop Five: Shared and Guided Reading |
Session Resources:
Workshop Agenda (.pdf file)
Where the Sidewalk Ends.
Sample Sites Used in Guided Reading Lesson:Upper elementary level: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/features/97/nyunderground/
Lower elementary level: http://www.ika.com/stories/melena/melena.html
Author study sites for shared reading extension: Eric Carle
Nonfiction websites for guided groups: some sample sites
General Workshop Resources (For Teachers):
Instructor Magazine
http://teacher.scholastic.com/professional/teachstrat/guidedreading.htm
This is an article from the Instructor magazine on the Scholastic website that outlines the steps for guided reading in an early primary classroom, as well as goals and reasons for conducting lessons in that manner.
Emints
http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00000600.shtml
This is a list of sites on guided reading that have been listed by student grade level and include descriptions of each of the sites. An excellent resource.
Susan Silverman
http://comsewogue.k12.ny.us/~ssilverman/class99/presentations.html
This is a list of presentations by educational technology expert and teacher Susan Silverman. Her presentations on Internet projects, web resources for elementary students and others are excellent. Her home page, with samples of some of the technology work she has done with students is also very good.
Carol Hurst
http://www.carolhurst.com/profsubjects/reading/guided.html
This site from Carol Hurst has examples of how to do guided reading with specific literature.
Author Study Internet and Extension Projects:
http://ndreadon.utma.com/authorstudies.htm (Eric Carle Very Hungry Caterpillar author study and Inspiration activity)
http://www.eric-carle.com/ (The World of Eric Carle)
http://schools.tdsb.on.ca/smithfield/nardaya/cwintro.htm (overview of author study sites)
http://teacher.scholastic.com/fieldtrp/childlit/authstud.htm (article on using author study as a part of balanced literacy)
All the following are sites with links for author studies or for using technology with children’s literature:
Shared Reading:
Using Shared Reading
http://www.sil.org/lingualinks/literacy/
ImplementALiteracyProgram/UsingSharedReading.htm
This is an outline of when to do shared reading, its goals, links to other information on the reading skills targeted in shared reading such as prediction, and comprehension. There are also links at the bottom of the page to other “task modules” on other literacy components.
Shared Reading
http://www.hubbardscupboard.org/shared_reading.html
Another good overview of what shared reading is, what skills it targets, and how to conduct it in your classroom.
English Online
http://english.unitecnology.ac.nz/resources/resources/shared.html
Procedures for shared reading from English Online.
Eduplace.com
http://www.eduplace.com/rdg/res/literacy/em_lit4.html
An outline of the shared reading model from Eduplace.com
Read Aloud For Students (Lower Elementary):
http://www.mightybook.com/story_books.html (An online read aloud. A library of books that are read aloud by the computer. Students can listen to books read out loud alone or with a partner.)
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/Rhymes.html (Online nursery rhymes that teachers can use to read aloud to students.)
http://www.ipl.org/div/kidspace/storyhour/ (The Internet public library has online stories that teachers can read aloud to students.)
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/littlekids/downloads/ebooks/
(Online books created by children using PowerPoint. Stories are mostly nonfiction, about a specific theme, and are not read aloud.)
http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/curriculum/littlekids/
downloads/ebooks/index.html (Similar to previous site--books created by students and teachers.)
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Advanced Workshop One: Going Deeper into
Balanced Literacy, Reading, and Technology |
Session Resources:
Workshop Agenda (.pdf file)
Research:
Coiro, Julie. Reading Comprehension on the Internet: Expanding Our Understanding of Reading Comprehension to Encompass New Literacies
http://www.readingonline.org/electronic/elec_index.asp?HREF=/
electronic/rt/2-03_Column/index.html
This is a key article that begins to explore the connections between the types of writing found on the Internet and reading comprehension. It raises important questions for teachers to be aware of when using the Internet, particularly as a resource for student research.
Classroom Resources:
Exemplary Web Resources
The first three sites on this list are mentioned in Coiro’s article as key examples of the kinds of texts children encounter online. They will be explored in the Advanced Reading workshop in terms of advantages, challenges and even biases they pose and their implications for classroom use.
For Students and Teachers:
StarChild
http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/StarChild.html
This elementary level science sie provides textual and graphic resources with which students and teachers can explore the solar system. Established by the High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center (HEASARC) at NASA, the material is of high quality while the reading level is appropriate for younger children.
The Rainforest
http://www.christiananswers.net/kids/rainforest/home.html
This elementary level interdisciplinary study of the rain forest contains non-fictional text, photos and video appropriate for young students.
Hidden New York
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/newyork/hidden/index.html
Learning Adventures in Citizenship
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/newyork/laic/index.html
These two PBS sites provide unusual opportunities for older elementary students to explore our city through multimedia – text, animation, video, etc.
Primarily for Teachers:
TrackStar
http://trackstar.4teachers.org/trackstar/index.jsp
This free site allows teachers to set up annotated lists of resources with comprehension tips and questions for students who access the resources.
Software
The following programs scaffold student comprehension online with the addition of aural readings of the text, frames with comprehension activities, and the explicit teaching of metacognitive strategies.
Thinking Reader
http://www.tomsnyder.com/products/product.asp?SKU=THITHI
For grade 5 and above. This product aims to build reading comprehension skills for students reading below grade level. The program presents core, authentic literature in a supportive environment. It embeds prompts, hints, model answers, etc.
Kurzweil 3000
http://www.kurzweiledu.com/k3000demo/
For upper elementary and above. This product typically marketed as a tool for the special needs population, provides students the tools they need to improve their reading speed and comprehension, plus a suite of features that make it possible for them to learn and study independently.
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Advanced Workshop Two: Going Deeper into
Balanced Literacy, Reading, and Technology |
Session Resources:
Workshop Agenda (.pdf file)
Research:
Labbo, Linda. Digital Language Experience Approach: Using Digital Photographs and Software as a Language Experience Approach Innovation
http://www.readingonline.org/electronic/
This article provides a case study of literacy learning using a Language Experience approach supported by digital photography and creativity software. The material is the basis for the activity undertaken at our workshop.
Classroom Resources:
For Teachers
Creative Writing through Wordless Picture Books
http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=130
This is an exemplary lesson in which students explore wordless picture books as a stimulus to develop story lines orally and in writing.
Creative Writing Resources @ Web English Teacher
http://www.webenglishteacher.com/creative.html
This part of the Web English Teacher site contains general strategies and specific exercises and projects for creative writing in K – 12 classrooms with and without technology.
Wacona Elementary School – Ideas for Using the Digital Camer
http://www.wacona.com/digicam/digicam.html
One school shares its successes and challenges in effectively integrating the digital camera in classroom instruction. Included here are: the rationale for using the camera, possible pitfalls, and specific lessons.
For Teachers and Students
Two resources that are helpful in creating electronic books in the classroom:
ReadWriteThink Lesson and Resource on Creating “Stapleless Books
http://www.readwritethink.org/student_mat/student_material.asp?id=10
Digital Resource for Making Electronic Book
http://www.realebooks.com/
Software:
Don Johnston
http://www.donjohnston.com/
Publisher of several software packages soon to be part of the New York City “list.” Items that teachers might want to review include: Write Out Loud, Draft Builder, Start-to-Finish Literacy Starters.
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| Balanced Literacy Research Articles |
IARE Report on Inspiration Software (Adobe Acrobat File)
A report analyzing current research on the instructional effectiveness of the use of graphic organizers. Using the definitions set forth by Section 9101 of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001, IARE selected 29 scientifically based research studies that applied rigorous, systematic, and objective procedures to obtain reliable and valid knowledge relevant to education activities and programs.
Using Technology to Enhance Literacy Instruction. This Critical Issue was coauthored by Ann Holum, Ph.D., and Jan Gahala, M.A. The article outlines what current research says about ways interactive media improve children's reading ability.
Learning With Technology: Evidence that Technology Can, and Does, Support Learning (Adobe Acrobat File)
By James M. Marshall, PhD / San Diego State University
The report is a comprehensive summary of important research questions about technology's impact in the classroom.
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