What Research Has to Say About Reading Instruction - International ...

Learning logs: Reflection and application
In their logs and referring to the session’s guiding questions,
participants should describe how this chapter confirmed or changed
the way they view matching books to the needs of their students.
Extended Learning
Participants should undertake the activity suggested in the fifth of this
chapter’s Questions for Discussion:
One procedure for identifying critical text features is to select a sample of
texts for the grade you teach with texts for different points in the school year
represented. Ask colleagues and students to describe the features of these
texts that make them easy or difficult to read. How can the features that are
commonly identified be developed into a curriculum that supports students in
reading texts where these features become increasingly more complex? (p. 365)
As the sessions begin to wind down, group members should
reflect on their professional learning during this book study. How will
they apply their learning in the classroom? How will they share their
learning with colleagues and administrators?
SESSION 17
Preparing Students for High-Stakes Test Taking
in Reading (Chapter 16)
In response to calls for accountability, schools and districts are
increasingly making use of the results of “high-stakes” tests to
demonstrate student achievement and school improvement. Author
John Guthrie examines the characteristics of these high-stakes tests;
describes the responses of teachers, administrators, and students to
them; and offers recommendations for preparing students for testing.
Framing the Session
Desired outcomes
• To explore characteristics of high-stakes tests and their impact
on teachers, administrators, and students
• To recognize and clarify potential curriculum and instructional
challenges in preparing student for high-stakes tests
From the Professional Development Edition of What Research Has to Say About Reading Instruction
(3rd ed.), © 2009 International Reading Association.
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