As I mentioned in my previous post, I’m trying to incorporate more nonfiction into my reading instruction because of the new Common Core Standards. I recently started using Raz Kids on the iPads for my guided reading instruction because there’s an amazing selection of leveled nonfiction books and they are of high interest to the kids.
One of my main goals in reading has been to try to get my students more actively engaged in their reading and get them thinking beyond the text. This week we focused on the strategy of asking questions before, during, and after reading. I made these question prompt cards to hang up and then made them into bookmarks for my guided reading groups. (You can grab the posters and bookmarks for FREE by clicking the image.)
In my guided groups, I had my students fill out this simple graphic organizer while they silently read their instructional level books. As I watched them recording their thinking, I was really impressed by the deep questions they asked. I think it really sunk in for many of them how questioning helps us better comprehend the text and keeps us engaged.
You can grab my questioning graphic organizer for free by clicking the image.
My other post about questioning can be found HERE.
What strategies do you use to get your students to be more active readers? I would love to hear your ideas.
