Reading Comprehension

• Use prereading strategies
• Generate questions about the story
• Make generalizations and draw conclusions
• Answer questions about the story’s meaning
• Summarize stories and passages
• Discuss interpretations of the story
• Cite passages to support questions and ideas
• Read with fluency
• Gain exposure to a wide range of words
• Use context to figure out word meaning
• Read with a purpose and take notes to monitor comprehension
• Practice using a variety of reading strategies

Critical Thinking

• Ask interpretive questions
• Generate ideas with a clear focus in response to questions
• Support ideas with relevant evidence
• Respond to other students’ ideas, questions, and arguments
• Revise ideas and evidence based on Shared Inquiry discussion
• Modify an argument to incorporate other students’ ideas
• Question other students’ perspectives
• Compare and weigh evidence
• Evaluate ideas for sense and evidence
• Present ideas logically and peruasively

Listening and Speaking

• Comprehend as stories are read aloud
• Listen actively and carefully to others; listen for differing ideas
• Ask for clarification
• Respond to other students’ questions
• Participate in discussion
• State ideas clearly
• Agree and disagree constructively
• Explain and defend arguments

Writing

• Take notes about a story
• Record personal responses before and after discussion
• Use discussion to generate and develop ideas
• Use graphic organizers to plan writing
• Write a first draft
• Write descriptions, narratives, expository essays, and persuasive essays
• Practice creative writing
• Revise writing in response to feedback