[Replicable Practices] Strategic Reading Resource Center

Has developed a great web resource that is "designed to help secondary teachers integrate strategic reading instruction into their curriculum." The subsidiary site contains links to a number of excellent resources.

Copied directly from the site:

• Strategy Tool Box - Brief descriptions of reading strategies for teachers to use in their classes.
• Teacher-Tested Strategies - Practicing teachers used these strategies and created a database of what works.
• Web Links - Links will take you to other strategic reading sites.
• Research - The Department of Education site to inform educators about research supporting strategic reading in secondary education.
• Bibliography - Great resources in print and media that can help teachers help their students.

 

[Replicable Practices] YouTube: Test Taking Strategies

An expectation in the General Learning Strategies (GLE) class is to model test taking techniques. I have found the Paul Devoto's YouTube Channel that covers this topic.


A description Paul has wrote for his Test-Taking Strategy Videos:

This series shares the best strategies for improving your score on multiple-choice tests. The episodes are produced by Paul Devoto and hosted by math teachers at Jonas Salk High-Tech Academy middle school in Sacramento, CA

[Replicable Practices] The Grammar Gorilla!

Grammar Bytes! Grammar Instruction with Attitude

Robin L. Simmons has created a grammar based website loaded with an assortment of interesting topics. Look up definitions of common grammar terms or test your grammar knowledge. Teachers you must check out the section devoted to handouts and presentations.

A giant thank you Ms. V. D'Amico for sharing one of your Replicable Practices.

[Replicable Practices] Food Inc. Hungry For Change?

Hungry For Change?

Taken directly from the Official Food Inc. website:

In Food, Inc., filmmaker Robert Kenner lifts the veil on our nation's food industry, exposing the highly mechanized underbelly that has been hidden from the American consumer with the consent of our government's regulatory agencies, USDA and FDA. Our nation's food supply is now controlled by a handful of corporations that often put profit ahead of consumer health, the livelihood of the American farmer, the safety of workers and our own environment. We have bigger-breasted chickens, the perfect pork chop, herbicide-resistant soybean seeds, even tomatoes that won't go bad, but we also have new strains of E. coli—the harmful bacteria that causes illness for an estimated 73,000 Americans annually. We are riddled with widespread obesity, particularly among children, and an epidemic level of diabetes among adults.

Food Inc. is an excellent documentary that in full or in part should be shown in class. The accompanying educators manual can be used in part or as a complete package, however, I advise you take a look at it for yourself since there are many visuals and topics that might want to advise the student's parents the type of topic that you are going to present.

Food Inc. can easily lend itself nicely into various curriculum strands. I have used specific sections as a topic of discussion for a media awareness unit and critically thinking component.

The official Food Inc. website also has a trailer of the movie. You can find additional videos and discussion guides on the educational material page.

[Replicable Practices] Study Guides II

Muskingum University

Muskingum University, located in east-central Ohio has a Center for Advancement of Learning. The center's motto is to emphasize the development of lifelong learning skills through commitment to a learning strategies philosophy.

Resources are devoted to General and Subject Content,  High School to College and Post Grad Learning Strategies.

[Replicable Practices] I will stop procrastinating . . . tomorrow!

One of the topics that I cover is my GLE class is the topic on avoiding procrastination. I always begin each lesson with a replicable practice that deals with a hook or an attention grabber, or any other unique way to motivate interest in the lesson. Many times I turn and seek assistance from a very close and dear friend of mine, YouTube.

Tales Of Mere Existence: "Procrastination"

[Replicable Practices] I need more time, the semester can't be over, what exam? (Study Guides I)

Inevitably there is always a sense of despair, anxiety, nervousness, and anger. You might even begin to feel nauseous with a tinge of hope. You are sitting there wondering where all the time you thought you had went and where can you find some to finish that assignment or study for that test that was suppose to be handed in last month or written next week.

There are many topics that we discuss in the GLE class. No one GLE class that I ever taught did any one student take time management, study habits, avoiding procrastination, test preparation, prioritizing and memory aids seriously. According to the students they know how to use their time efficiently, agenda purposefully, study for tests, and remember equations dates and facts. Oh really, is that why your palms are all sweaty and your doing everything but preparing for the exam.

Study Guides and Strategies

In 1996 Joe Landsberger created the site. Mr. Landsberger has granted permission to freely copy, adapt, and distribute individual Study Guides in print format in non-commercial educational settings that benefit learners. Linking to the Guides is encouraged! The Study Guides and Strategies website covers many more topics that those listed above. Take the time to review it for yourself.