Using Close Reading to Improve Critical Thinking Skills A...

Objectives In producing my project my objectives are: †¢ To integrate close reading strategies with the literacy/science curriculum to improve critical thinking outcomes with a group of 45 kindergarteners in a medium sized suburban kindergarten classroom †¢ To determine if using close reading can help close the increasing achievement gap between kindergarten and first grade Hispanic and non-Hispanic learners †¢ To develop a variety of close reading activities that can be used in kindergarten and first grade classes †¢ To share my knowledge and results with colleagues at my school Project Description My project has been to investigate how to implement close reading strategies as a means to develop critical thinking skills starting in†¦show more content†¦I will share my lesson plans and knowledge of close reading with my colleagues as part of professional development. Project Schedule The following timeline was used as a guide to the development of my project: Tracking Plan APRIL May June September Research Phase Design Phase Presentation Phase †¢ Assess student performance on state testing (analyze Illinois State Report card, look at demographics, achievement gap) †¢ Needs assessment of diverse learners (how do their needs differ? does close reading contrast with ELL strategies?, best practices) †¢ Research on close reading strategies (what research has been done, what can be implemented in a kindergarten classroom with nonreaders) †¢ Implementation of close reading strategies in the classroom †¢ Use of teacher developed materials †¢ Collaboration with Reading Specialist †¢ Data collection, analysis †¢ Professional development to share results †¢ Implementation of year long close reading in the kindergarten classroom (about one per theme) Key Decisions †¢ Close reading effective in developing critical thinking skills †¢ Meeting the needs of diverse learners †¢ How to implement close reading in the kindergarten classroom †¢ Data collection/results †¢ Method of professionalShow MoreRelatedWhy Is Literacy Is A Secondary Goal?1388 Words   |  6 Pagessecondary goal; it means that STEM concepts are integrated into the literacy equation for our students. 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