Literacy Instruction in Mathematics and Science for Secondary Teachers
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Literacy Strategy Handouts

Listed below are a number of strategies used in the LIMSST project.  Each is linked to a handout, which gives a basic description of the strategy, how to use it and references.  

Vocabulary Strategies:

Concept Map Graphic organizer which promotes a deeper understanding of a topic by creating a student determined network of related concepts.
Frayer Diagram Graphic organizer which helps students develop an understanding of a concept by highlighting distinguishing characteristics and distinguishing examples and non-examples.
VVWA
        VVWA Template
Graphic organizer which uses images and personal associations to help students understand a term or concept.
Word Sort Helps students develop a deeper understanding of key concepts and vocabulary by classifying these terms into either teacher or students determined categories.
Word Wall Promotes knowledge of key concepts and vocabulary by displaying them in a prominent spot such as the wall of the classroom.


Writing Strategies:
Write-to-Learn Strategies include learning logs and journals.  By organizing thoughts onto paper students have the opportunity to make greater meaning of the topics covered.
Science Notebooks A specific form of science notebook which focuses on allowing students to make meaning though writing during inquiry based activities.  Focuses heavily on encouraging students to connect claims they make during and activity to the evidents which supports that claim.
Silent Discussion Students engage in written dialogue with other students on a teacher determined topic.  Advantage of this strategy is that students have a quiet opportunity to form their own ideas through writing.


Reading Strategies:
Anticipation Guides A teacher favorite, anticipation guides encourage active participation in reading and critical thinking by asking students, prior to reading, to respond in writing to a series of questions predicting what the reading will say.
Cornell Notes A popular note taking strategy for both reading and lecture.  Cornell notes provide students a system for organizing information in a useful format where main points are displayed in one column and supporting details are displayed in a second column.
INSERT  A reading strategy which provides a system of simple symbols which are used by students to note their responses and help them construct personal meaning from the text.
KWL "What I Know, what I Want to know, what I Learned."  This strategy aims to engage students in a topic by helping students connect information with prior knowledge.  The strategy is also useful in revealing student misconceptions.


Discussion Strategies:

Think-Pair-Share
Think aloud
Types of questions...
Journal prompts.