#6thchat is used to chat, collaborate, and grow with other sixth grade educators from around the globe. Each session we discuss a topic voted on by #6thchat participants. It's a great way to help grow your PLN and share ideas with others.
Welcome to #6thchat! Please introduce yourself, where you teach, and what subjects! I am Kristin and teach in Lansing, MI. I teach ELA and SS. So glad you are here!
A1) I think it means that literacy is integrated into each discipline in a way that enhances the understanding of the discipline's content while also strengthening literacy skills and strategies. #6thchat
#CultureEd, #6thchat, #AIMSNetwork Hi! I’m Kristen. I teach 6th grade physical science, and I’m from PA! I just learned in #fcpslearn that I do not have a good superhero name for myself and it’s quite disappointing....
A1: Literacy across disciplines means we are using reading strategies to build understanding in each subject area. Reading in Math and Science looks much different than reading in Social Studies and ELA. #6thchat
A1: Ss don't see reading and writing (or math and science for that matter) as a separate course or discipline. They see them as connected, as they do in their daily lives. We use similar vocabulary, relate how processes are similar across courses, and make connections. #6thchat
A2) Students continue to struggle to apply literacy skills outside of the ELA classroom. Continuing to circle back to teach important reading skills & strategies within each content area helps boost content understanding as well as improve overall literacy. It's win-win #6thchat
I think that your point about making the literacy richer is right on point...often folks are worried about integrating these and yet the payoff is quite big. #6thchat
A2) #6thchat - We can sometimes more easily teach certain text structures iand strategies in Social Studies and Science. It gives the reading and writing a different purpose and students may just be a bit more inspired in the content areas.
I am always amazed when there is push back about literacy within other disciplines. I have heard (not long ago) a T say that they really don't have time to "teach reading" in their content area. #6thchat
A2: Getting Ss to recognize that reading is necessary to understand content outside of Reading class is important to their growth. Reading primary sources, charts, graphs, and scientific reports help them build knowledge in the other content areas. #6thchat
A2: Literacy looks different in different capacities. Writing a lab report (or reading one to find out what you need to do) requires different skills than reading and writing in a ELA course. SS need exposure to diff kinds. Some skills will overlap. Some will not. #6thchat
A2) #6thchat - We can sometimes more easily teach certain text structures iand strategies in Social Studies and Science. It gives the reading and writing a different purpose and students may just be a bit more inspired in the content areas.
A3) Start w/ engaging content & choose one literacy focus (vocabulary, note-taking, compare-contrast); build lesson around that area. Try to focus-in on specific literacy skills/strategies & don't throw the entire litany of literacy at Ss all at once. #6thchat
A3) #6thchat Familiarizing them with the text structures is helpful. I am also going to use the Nonfiction Notice and Note Signposts this year. I am positive this will be helpful to them.
A3: Modeling close and critical reading strategies and allowing Ss to see how the "expert" in the room uses them will give Ss insight into how to use them on their own. #6thchat
A2: Literacy looks different in different capacities. Writing a lab report (or reading one to find out what you need to do) requires different skills than reading and writing in a ELA course. SS need exposure to diff kinds. Some skills will overlap. Some will not. #6thchat
A4) I find authentic writing is most engaging & then I "immerse" students to "discover" what the authors of the writing include (eg. travel brochures...what's included, how, why, etc). They create a list and then write their own. They discover vocab., structure, etc. #6thchat
A4: Social Studies lends itself to different kinds of writing. We develop websites, write children's books, and blog about different topics we are covering. We find and analyze model writing to help mold their writing. #6thchat
A4) #6thchat Sometimes in SS, ss are responding to a question in a constructed response format. I find using the RA format to Restate and Answer the question is essential. SS often just start right in & you don't know what the topic is! Then they can add details to support.
A4: I love giving Ss a list of vocabulary words, then letting them write a story that incorporates those words. Great creative writing activity that reinforces content knowledge. #6thchat#edchat
A5) I offer lots of "quiet" (written) conversation first where Ss share ideas on @padlet or @seesaw. Then, Ss work in small groups to "notice" ideas, thoughts, etc., & share ideas verbally. Ss then share out in larger group discussions. Try to meet all personality needs #6thchat
Trying to teach my 2nd grader to read and understand word problems to pull out the important pieces makes me realize how important reading in Math is. That doesn't even get into the graphs and other elements. #6thchat
We explore the ecosystems of the world by writing a story and illustrating it. Ss choose 5-6 ecosystems and describe them in story form. It makes the writing seem less formal to them. Wish I had some examples in digital form to share. #6thchat
A5) #6thchat Using a Kagan Structure like Numbered Heads Together allows all students share with the group at different times after preparing an answer by talking to their group first.
A6) I am working to start w/the literacy goal, and then what/how within my content area can I help Ss achieve the goal. If the goal is to have Ss summarize and write a summary, then start with this and build lesson w/good, engaging content. #6thchat
#6thchat Each step we take to intentionally help our Ss understand the vocabulary, graphic sources and more helps them to be successful with the content itself. Math is so unique with literacy! Lots of opportunities to apply skills and strategies!
"Reading" in math is crazy. One needs to read in 4 different representations (graph, table, equation, verbal) and understand hand gestures and a specialized language including symbols.
A5: Working on #passionprojects right now. SS have to pitch their idea and then eventually present. Ss create presentaitons throughout the year that they have to present- sometimes in just a fishbowl. But ss are always collaboratively talking to each other. #6thchat
A6: For the non-ELA teachers, we often put literacy on the back burner. But, we really do need to ensure we are thinking literacy first to ensure Ss can truly understand what they are being exposed to in the content. #6thchat
A7) When I have literacy as a primary focus, I am then looking for the best content to use to amplify both the literacy goals and dive deeper into the discipline goals. How can inference be used to study photographs of world cultures and then "draw conclusions" to share? #6thchat
A8) I think it is important that Ss study excellent examples ahead of time and then have them spend more time comparing their final work against these examples; how is the literacy work helping Ss develop a deeper understanding of the content/discipline? #6thchat
A8: The ELA classroom is often used as the sklll center. Skills and technique of reading are more likely taught there. In the other content areas, the "stuff" usually takes precedent over the skill. Maybe there needs to be a greater shift in this thinking. #6thchat
We had a smaller gathering tonight #6thchat, so thanks so much for sharing your thinking with all of us. If you have any digital resources you use for literacy across disciplines, please share!
