Step 4: Identify Topics and Resources
Does your imagination run wild when you read a book?
Can you see snapshots of each character in your mind?
Can you describe
the setting in detail including the sights, sounds, and smells?
Some readers become part of the time and place of a novel, while others have a hard time just comprehending the words on paper. Providing a reader with additional information such as a photograph from the time period represented in the book or a map of the book's location can help bring reading alive!
Scaffolding for Learning
Some students need scaffolding for their learning. In other words, they need guidance to help them connect ideas and comprehend what they are reading. Seek out materials that will help young people have successful reading experiences.
- What are the most important themes or elements in the book?
- What will motivate or draw the interest of students?
- Where do students need more information or experiences to better understand the story?
- How does the book link
to other important concepts across the curriculum?
- Where do students generally have questions?
- Where do they get restless when reading the book?
- Where is there a need for additional information?
- Where can you draw on book examples to explain
an important curriculum concept?
Locating Quality Resources
It's time to examine the notes you took while reading the book. Create a list of themes, key words, ideas, or elements that might be interesting to explore. Are there words that need to be defined? Do students need to know more about an social issue or historical event?
Go to Starting Points for
Kids and try some of their suggested student search engines links.
Go
to Search Tools from
Teacher Tap.
This page contains a variety of search tools to try. Try a search for a topic you teach and add a narrowing word. For
example, magnet lesson.
Go
to Search Strategies from
Teacher Tap.
This page will help you narrow your search, identify good search terms, and make use of the materials you find.
Go
to Content Area Resources from
Teacher Tap.
This page contains links some of best subject area websites.
Evaluating Resources
Just because a site matches the topic doesn't mean that the material should be used. Evaluate your resources carefully. Consider the readability of the site including the fonts used, reading level, and headings. Is the site easy to use? Does it have visual appeal?
Go
to Evaluating Internet
Resources from
Teacher Tap.
Explore lessons and resources related to evaluating web-based materials.
Use some of the following sources to evaluate websites:
- Cyberbee - Guides for rating content and website design.
- Kathy Schrock - Critical evaluation surveys and readings.
Try It!
Identify Internet resources and other materials that help students better understand the books they are reading.
Go to Caldecott Books for lots of ideas such as Noah's Ark by Jerry Pinkney.
Go to Step 5: Develop Meaningful Activities