Literacy Skills Activity Books
The Literacy Skills Activity Books offer a series of powerful literacy strategies and activities that teachers should use to: (1) improve students' literacy skills; and (2) address the Common Core standards for content area literacy and college and career readiness (CCRs). The activities in each workbook have been arranged strategically so that teachers have a clear path by which to guide their students. The activities and strategies in the workbooks repeat and build off of one another, making mastery of the literacy strategies possible. The reading strategies, graphic organizers, and speaking and writing templates can be used to support any reading assignment, making the workbook very versatile for both students and teachers.
Mastery of the select literacy strategies is just one goal of the workbooks. The sound instructional methods and powerful pedagogy, that are the foundation of the LiteracyTA workbooks, model effective pacing and literacy instruction. The strategies and activities are carefully selected and sequenced to maximize student growth and engagement. As a result of using the workbook, students will learn how to read more critically and improve their ability to read independently.
There are three workbooks in the series. Series one is designed for young and/or struggling readers in elementary and secondary school. Series 2 targets a wide range of students from low readers to readers approaching proficiency in grades 4-10. Series 3 is for advanced readers and for those students who have a strong understanding of the reading and writing strategies outlined on LiteracyTA.
Each workbook offers strategic reading experiences and "Checking-in" benchmarks that offer guidance and support for teachers as they formatively assess their students' knowledge of the strategies they are learning.
When using the workbook, we recommend starting with short texts (no longer than two pages) or chunk lengthier texts into shorter, more manageable reading assignments. Length and sophistication of text should increase as students demonstrate proficiency.
Key Features
- 16 strategic reading experiences that can be used with any non-fiction text
- Literacy activities and strategies that address Common Core College and Career Anchor Standards for Reading and Writing
- "Checking-in" benchmarks to formatively assess students' growth
- Guided practice and support for students as they learn new literacy skills
- Sound teaching and learning strategies that motivate and engage students
Rising Up
Reading strategies: Pre reading, Scan for vocabulary, Key vocabulary chart, Making predictions, Marking a text, Organizing information
Writing strategies: Summarizing main ideas (sentences), Direct quotations, Introducing sources, Summary map, Crafting a thesis
Reaching High
Reading strategies: Pre reading, Scan for vocabulary, Key vocabulary chart, Making inferences, Marking a text, Investigative reading, Writing in the margins, Organizing information
Writing strategies: Summary sentences, Summarizing central claim, Identifying evidence, Paraphrasing source material, Integrating sources, Summary maps, Source summary, Crafting a thesis
Reading for College
Reading strategies: Pre reading, Marking a text, Investigative reading, Writing in the margins, Charting a text, Charting verbs, Organizing information
Writing strategies: Summarizing central claim, Paraphrasing source material, Writing with sources, Integrating sources, Analyzing evidence, Source summary, Rhetorical précis, crafting a thesis
