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Great Resources for Busy Teachers
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Great Resources for Busy Teachers |
Text Connections
Text connections occur when the reader makes a personal connection from the text with something in their own life, another text, or something occurring in the world. There are three types of text connections: text-to-self (T-S), text-to-text (T-T), and text-to-world (T-W). Text connections are taught best through a meta-cognitive strategy (thinking about your thinking) called "thinking out loud." The teacher reads the text and models their own connection by verbalizing their own thoughts. This gives students a glimpse into the the reader's mind, and helps children to understand that good readers make connections with the texts they read. Good readers make personal connections with the text throughout the reading. Good connections helps readers to use what they already know (prior knowledge; schema) to help them understand the text and create vivid mental images. Good readers use their connections to help make predictions throughout the reading of the text. Good readers learn how to read deeper with more meaning when they make real-world connections to the text. Strong world connections deepens readers understanding of the text and helps them to become critical thinkers. *Story Treasure: a small item given to students to help them recall the story.
Text to Self Poster
Text to Text Poster
Text to World Poster
Text Connections Smartmark©
<<T-S 1 of 17 | T-T 1 of 10>> | T-W 1 of 11>> | Reading Workshop Home
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Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
Reading Level: Beginning of 3rd grade Story
Treasure: Teach: Chrysanthemum loves her name until other children make fun of it. Children can connect to how the character feels. Children with unique or unusual names might relate to Chrysanthemum's problem. Children can learn the origin of their name, and where the idea for their name came from. Some of their stories make nice personal narratives. Connect: Origins of name; Dealing with being teased; Self-esteem; Science - flowers / plants Author's Website: Kevin Henkes |
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| Mud is Cake by Pam Munoz Ryan Reading Level: Middle of 2nd grade Story
Treasure:
Teach: This is a good book for modeling text connections. Chances are...you will have many connections to the text. Ryan takes us back to our childhood and reminds us of the fun things we did using our imagination, such as making cakes out of mud. *Connect this book to teaching writing ideas. Ryan writes about playing pretend. Can your students write about their playtime? Connect: Using your imagination; Writing ideas; Author's
Website:
Pam Munoz Ryan
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| Hello Ocean by Pam Munoz Ryan Reading Level: End of 3rd grade Story Treasure: a small seashell Teach: Children who have visited the ocean will make lots of connections to the strong sensory images in this text. They will have their own memories and experiences to draw upon as a reading support. Connect: Science - 5 senses, oceans; Writing - using sensory images, focus on a topic, organization; Social Studies - geography; Poetry Author's
Website:
Pam Munoz Ryan
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| The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant Reading Level: Middle of 2nd grade Story
Treasure:
Teach: Children can connect to visiting relatives, or having relatives visit their home. They will have memories and experiences that will deepen their understanding of this text. Connect: Writing - personal narratives (family stories); Social Studies - reading a road map, mapping out a trip; Theme - family Author's Website: Not Available |
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| Koala Lou by Mem Fox Reading Level: Beginning of 3rd grade Story
Treasure:
Teach: Koala Lou wants her mother's attention. Children can connect to Koala Lou's feelings. Connect: Science - koala bears; Social Studies - Australia Author's Website: Mem Fox *Mem Fox reads this story aloud on her website. |
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| Not Norman: A Goldfish Story by Kelly
Bennett Reading Level: Middle of 2nd grade Story Treasure: (Tasty Treasure) Snack size bag of goldfish crackers Teach: Children can connect to receiving a gift they don't want. They can connect to their feelings about having or getting a pet. Connect: Science - fish; Character - being grateful Author's Website: Kelly Bennett |
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| Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good,
Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst Reading Level: End of 3rd grade Story
Treasure:
Teach:
Children can connect to having a bad day. This story is a good one to
model your own text-to-self connections as you "think out loud" about
your own bad days.
Connect:
Writing - circular text structure, organization, writing with details,
pattern story,
Author's
Website: Not Available
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Super-Completely and Totally the Messiest
by Judith Viorst Reading Level: End of 3rd grade Story
Treasure:
Teach: Children can connect with the character's feelings about siblings, as well as their own experiences with being super clean or totally messy. Connect: Siblings; Family; Cleaning and organizing (clean out those desks); Writing - sibling / family stories Author's Website: Not Available
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| Thank you, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco Reading Level: Beginning of 4th grade Story Treasure: (Tasty Treasure) graham cracker with honey Teach: This is a great first day book. The main character struggles with reading throughout her school career. Mr. Falker, her 5th grade teacher realizes she is dyslexic and begins to teach her strategies to help her become a reader. Struggling readers will connect to the character's feelings. Connect:
Author's Website: Patricia Polacco
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| Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto Reading Level: Middle of 3rd grade Story Treasure: (Tasty Treasure) a tamale Teach: Students can connect to family traditions, and possibly a time when they did something wrong and had to confess. Connect: Theme - family, multicultural stories, honesty Author's Website: Gary Soto
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| Smoky
Night by Eve Bunting Reading Level: Middle of 2nd grade Story
Treasure: Teach: Students can connect to the character's feelings, and consider how they would feel if in the same circumstances. Connect: Social Studies; multicultural literature; Themes - acceptance, compassion, friendship Author's
Website: Not Available
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| Tomas and the Library Lady by Pat Mora Reading Level: End of 2nd grade Story Treasure: library card Teach: This is a great book to read prior to your student's first trip to the school library. Students can connect to their own experiences with reading and visiting the library. Connect: Library; Themes - friendship, moving, reading, helping another person Author's
Website:
Pat Mora
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| The Pain and the Great One by Judy Blume Reading Level: Beginning of 3rd grade Story
Treasure: Teach: Students can connect to the character's feelings in this book about siblings. Connect: Writing - write personal narratives about siblings; Themes - siblings, friendship, family Author's Website: Judy Blume |
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| The Art Lesson by Tomie dePaola Reading Level: Middle of 3rd grade Story Treasure: a crayon Teach: Students can connect to the character's feelings. They can connect their own interests, and the challenges they have faced. Connect: Art; Theme - perseverence Author's
Website:
Tomie dePaola
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| Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin
Henkes Reading Level: End of 2nd grade Story
Treasure:
Teach: Children can connect to Lilly's feelings when she gets something new and wants to share it with her friends and classmates. Connect: Show and tell; Theme - patience, sharing Author's Website: Kevin Henkes |
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| Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes Reading Level: Middle of 2nd grade Story
Treasure: Teach: Everyone worries about something. Children can connect to their own worrisome feelings. Connect: Themes - friendship, worry Author's Website: Kevin Henkes |
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| Three Brave Women by C.L.G. Martin Reading Level: Middle of 3rd grade Story Treasure: small plastic spider Teach: Children can connect to the character's fears with their own fears. Connect: Themes - family, overcoming fears Author's Website: Not Available
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