Exploring Nonfiction Text

This year I have had a difficult time motivating my lower readers. They seem to dread anything that resembles writing that they have to read and interpret. I have tried many different things to motivate them and they finally seem to be enjoying fiction a little more. The problem is, we have now moved to studying nonfiction text. The sighs and huffs began immediately.

I decided that if I used text that the students were interested in and allowed them to complete a ¨scavenger hunt¨ the students may be more interested in learning the characteristics of nonfiction text.

I created the following Nonfiction Exploration Activity:

First the students began by selecting a partner and then selecting their text. They enjoyed selecting a text a lot more than I thought they would. I tried to find books in the library that were about many different topic areas and that would spark their interest.

Then they took pictures of the text features they found in their book and added them to a Google Slideshow.

The exploration began! They looked at the text structure and vocabulary. They also tried to find the main idea of sections of their text.

Students became excited about their text and were truly enjoying learning about the topic of their choice. One student who is normally one of my biggest sighers even said, "Next week, can we choose a different book and do it again!" I'm still in shock! Like I have stated in a previous blog....choice is everything for students!!

Student Example #1

Using Google Forms to Allow for Student Reflection

So this year, a teammate and I have worked with our students to create digital portfolios. This isn't a new concept by any means. We decided it was important to add it into our practice to give students an avenue for reflection.

Students are given a slide show with standards and questions. They are to add artifacts and answer questions about the artifacts in relationship to the standards.

Go to the following link to see an example: bit.ly/ecesportfolios
(If you are going to NCTIES and are interested in getting more information, check out our session titled: e-portfolios: Growth, Reflection, and Personalization.)

I think the coolest thing out of this whole process so far has been watching students analyze their assessment data through the use of Google Forms!

If you didn't know already, Google Forms now has a quizzes section, which is amazing!

In true Google fashion, they have thought of pretty much everything. When creating the form you are allowed to add an answer key which also allows you to add feedback. You can add feedback for correct answers as well as incorrect answers and having this option allows for students to analyze their own assessments! It is AWESOME!

Like shown above, another incredible option is the link at the bottom of feedback. This link could take students to more practice or a deeper explanation of the question. So easy!! :-)

The beauty of this is when students take their assessment, it immediately shows them their results along with the feedback. You can also click an option where it will send their results to their email!!

We then give students the form below and have them analyze their results. They are to look at the standards missed (they know the standards missed because we put it in their feedback) and then they are to create their next steps to help them master the standard. 

I know you're probably thinking, "How in the world do you expect 4th graders to do this." I promise you, they can. With lots of modeling....they can and it is so great! Here are a couple of student examples:

Just like adults, students need to be constantly reflecting on their work. They need to know where they stand in their education journey. They need to be aware of what they are experts at and what could use a little more practice.