Students in the Junior High at United Local experience an inquiry based approach to literacy through Genre Study during reader's workshop. Genre refers to any type of literature or artistic work that has similarities in form, including music, drama and studio arts. Written genres can include fantasy, biography, memoir, realistic fiction, forms, bills, brochures, maps, ads, magazine articles, televised sitcoms, plays, mysteries and news. This inquiry process encourages students to think more critically when reading. The reading workshop approach allows students to make choices about what to read, conduct book talks, conference with teachers, and have literature discussions with classmates.
Also during the 80-minute literacy block, students participate in writer's workshop where they view themselves as writers by choosing what genres they want to publish. During writer's workshop, students conference individually with the teacher and meet in small groups to peer conference and edit. |
Book Talks
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literature discussionsLiterature discussions occur in small groups. They are much like a book club where readers are reading the same text and have a discussion about the book. These discussions are student led, but may include the teacher. Points of interest, areas of confusion, or personal connections are just a few of the topics discussed.
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conferences
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