Strategies Notebook

Morgan Gillespie
4/23/2014





Table of Contents
Vocabulary
ABC Vocabulary Builds
Crossword Puzzles
Dictionary Game
English Language Learners
Hot Off the Press
Sensory Similes
Sentence Framing
Writing
Pass It On
R.A.F.T.
Y-Chart
Study Skills/Test Taking
Concept Cards
Outline Method
SQ3R


Vocabulary Strategy 1: ABC Vocabulary Builds
ReadWriteThink. (2014). Lesson Plan. ABC vocabulary builds vocabulary in content areas.
Retrieved from http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-
plans/bookmaking-builds-vocabulary-content-276.html
Directions:
Students are broken into small groups.
Each group is assigned a topic area that will be discussed during the year.
The groups must then use their topic to find vocabulary words for each letter of the
alphabet.
The groups will create a book or story board using their 26 new vocabulary words with
definitions and a picture of what it may look like (if needed).
Strengths:
Learn vocabulary ahead of time therefore when the students reach the chapter or
section in the book they will be able to comprehend the section.
Weaknesses:
Time allotted
May have to go back over vocabulary once the point in the book is reached later on
Students may not learn much of the vocabulary from this strategy


Vocabulary Strategy 2: Crossword Puzzles
ReadWriteThink. (2014). Student Interactives. Crossword puzzles.Retrieved from
http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/student-interactives/crossword-puzzles-
30068.html#overview
Directions:
Make a crossword puzzle using vocabulary that had been previously studied or is
currently being studied.
Give each student a crossword puzzle.
Explain that clues are at the bottom of the paper and that the students must fill in the
blank with the vocabulary words studied.
Strengths:
Helps students to learn definitions and spelling of vocabulary words
Weaknesses:
Possible cheating among students by sharing answers, wouldnt be able to learn on their
own due to this

Vocabulary Strategy 3: Dictionary Game
Reading Educator. (2005-2014). Dictionary game. Retrieved from
http://www.readingeducator.com/strategies/dictionary.htm
Directions:
Divide class into teams.
Provide each team with a dictionary.
The will read from a story or passage recently studied.
Emphasize on the word that needs to be searched.
The teams will then look up the word in the dictionary provided.
Once the team has found the word the entire team must stand.
One member from each team will read all of the definitions that the dictionary provides
for the word chosen.
The class will then discuss which definition is the correct definition for the passage.
Strengths:
Students learn different definitions of chosen words
Helps with critical thinking when deciding which definition fits the passage
Weaknesses:
Students could become confused by learning many different definitions about the
chosen word
Dictionary provided may not include all the words

English Language Learner Strategy 1: Hot Off the Press
Spillett, A. (2009, May 14). Hot off the press [web log post]. Retrieved from
blogs.scholastic.com/ell/
Directions:
Students read newspapers either from the present or past.
Each student will pick a topic from the newspaper and write an article about it.
Once students are finished take pictures of their work.
Create a classroom newspaper.
Strengths:
Builds language, writing, and vocabulary skills
Encourages students to be creative
Weaknesses
Handwriting could be difficult to read
Students may not be able to write clear thoughts
Students could be writing on the same topic



English Language Learners Strategy 2: Sensory Similes
Ochoa, M. (2009, May 6). Sensory Similes [web log post]. Retrieved from
blogs.scholastics.com/ell/
Directions:
Set up stations containing items where students can use their five senses. (taste, touch,
smell, sight, sound)
Have students go one by one to each of the stations.
While at each of the stations students will fill in a char on how it tastes, feels, smells,
looks, and sounds.
Encourage students to use creative words.
o Looks like ___________.
o Feels like ___________.
o Sounds like ___________.
o Tastes like ___________.
Once students are finished the have each made their own simple poem.
o Looks like a land full of gold.
o Feels like tiny rocks.
o Sounds like fish jumping in the water.
o Taste like dirty bath water.
Strengths:
Improves vocabulary
Allows students to explore by using their five senses
Weaknesses:
Difficulties can occur if students have a disability with a sense.
Students could be sick which would cause the senses to be different, such as taste.

English Language Learners Strategy 3: Sentence Framing
Spillett, A. (2009, March 11). Adding English one sentence frame at a time [web log post].
Retrieved from blogs.scholarstic.com/ell/
Directions:
Take strips of paper and create sentences with blanks for the students to fill in.
o I like ____________.
After the students have grasped the concept make more difficult sentences by adding
more blanks.
o _______________ is my ___________.
o I like _____________ with ____________.
o ____________ have ___________.
Strengths:
Improves language development
Weaknesses:
May be too easy for some students
The teacher may focus more on the weaker students


Writing Strategy 1: Pass It On
Top Notch Teaching. (2014). Pass it on. Retrieved from http://topnotchteaching.com/time-
saving-tips/strategies-for-getting-your-students-to-write/
Directions:
Split students in small groups of three.
Have each student write an introduction about the first topic that comes to mind.
Once the introduction has been written the students will pass their paper to the next
person in the group.
Once passed on the students will write the middle of the story from the introduction
they were provided.
Have the students pass the paper again for the final person to write the conclusion of
the story.
Return the paper to the original writer and have students read aloud.
Encourage the class to provide thoughts about each of the students papers.
Strengths:
Encourages creativity
Helps students to work on a different topic than the one they chose
Promotes teamwork
Weaknesses:
Similar topics
Students could have difficulty writing if the topics are personal



Writing Strategy 2: R.A.F.T.
ReadWriteThink. (2014). R.A.F.T. Retrieved from http://www.readwritethink.org/professional-
development/strategy-guides/using-raft-writing-strategy-30625.html
Directions:
Explain R.A.F.T. to the students.
o Role of the writer
o Audience
o Format
o Topic
Encourage students to be creative using each of the four parts included in R.A.F.T. to
write a paper.
Explain that the role of the writer is who they are, audience is who they would like to
write to, and format is how they want to write it (letter, diary).
Strengths:
Encourages students to have a voice in their writing
Encourages creativity
Could be used in groups or individually
Weaknesses:
Difficulty writing with a creative topic

Writing Strategy 3: Y-Chart
Top Notch Teaching. (2014). Y-Chart. Retrieved from http://topnotchteaching.com/time-saving-
tips/strategies-for-getting-your-students-to-write/
Directions:
Create a Y-Chart that includes three of the five senses.
Place an object in front of the class that students can observe and touch for the purpose
of the writing.
Have students fill out their charts determining what the object is like using the senses
on their paper.
Encourage students to use their examples while writing their papers.
Strengths:
Encourages creativity
Helps develop ideas about a topic
Encourages use of similes
Weaknesses:
Difficulty if a student has a problem with one of their senses
Use of the same similes resulting in similar papers


Study Skills/Test Taking Strategy 1: Concept Cards
Utah State University. (n.d.). Concept cards. Retrieved from
www.usu.edu/arc/idea_sheets/pdf/creating_stdy_guides.pdf
Directions:
Using index cards write a study word on the front and the category of the word in a
corner.
On the back of the card write down definitions, clues, or place a picture of what the
study word looks like.
Strengths:
Memorization
Writing information down helps connect ideas in your brain
Weaknesses:
Could have too many cards to be able to study effectively
Time management

Study Skills/Test Taking Strategy 2: Outline Method
Citrus College. (n.d). Note taking: outline method. Retrieved from
http://www.citruscollege.edu/lc/studyskills/Pages/NoteTakingOutlineMethod.aspx
Directions:
Read assigned text.
Go back over the assigned text a second time only writing down the heading and
subheadings leaving enough room for notes.
Write down notes about the content for each of the headings and subheadings.
Strengths:
Stronger understanding of text
Familiarize self with text
Weaknesses:
Time management




Study Skills/Test Taking Strategy 3: SQ3R
AdLit.org. (2014). SQ3R: survery-question-read-recite-review. Retrieved from
http://www.adlit.org/strategies/19803/
Directions:
Explain the definition of SQ3R.
o Survey, question, read, recite, and review
Review the assigned text for charts or captions.
Think of questions to ask yourself as you look through the text without fully reading it
first.
Read the text.
Recite the answers to the questions generated.
Review by writing down the answers to the questions and look back over the text to find
answers to questions that were not answered.
Strengths:
Delays procrastination
Gain understanding of text
Weaknesses:
Time management
Better used with a larger text than a small one