Using Literature Across Content Areas

Using Literature Across Content Areas

"The best teacher is a good book."

Poll

Which quote about literature do you prefer? Choose one.

• That is part of the beauty of all literature. You discover that your longings are universal longings, that you’re not lonely and isolated from anyone. You belong. ~F. Scott Fitzgerald

• What is wonderful about great literature is that it transforms the man who reads it towards the condition of the man who wrote, and brings to birth in us also the creative impulse. ~E.M. Forster

• It takes a great deal of history to produce a little literature. ~Henry James

• Books ARE a form of political action. Books are knowledge. Books are reflection. Books change your mind.--Toni Morrison

Open Ended

What is literacy in general? Take a few moments to write your answer and then feel free to share your thoughts with our team!

Multiple Select

What is literacy? Choose all that apply.

• the ability to read, write, think, listen and compute strategically

• just reading

• the ability to learn across all content areas

• the ability to transfer learning to new situations and context

• the ability to communicate learning in multiple forms to others who needs to know

Open Ended

What does literacy in your content area look like? How do you teach your students to be literate in your subject area?Take a few moments to write your answer and then feel free to share your thoughts with our team!

Poll

I know how to find the literacy standards for my content areas.

• Yes

• No

• My subject area doesn't have literacy standards.

http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/

Grades 6-12 Literacy in:

• History/Social Studies

• Science

• Technical subjects (Math, Computer Science, etc.)

Multiple Choice

What is the best definition of literature?

• anything that can be read

• modern novels

• writings that have excellence of form or expression that contain ideas of permanent or universal interest

• a transcript of simple fact or fiction in standard formats such as newspapers, magazines or text books

• boring old books

Why does every teacher need to use literature?

• You may inspire a reader because of the love of your subject or even just you!

• Every subject requires literacy skills.

• Synergistic curriculum

Open Ended

What is a book that inspired you during your k-12 education? Why?

Multiple Choice

What does the idea of "much not many" in classical education mean?

• quality over quantity

• teamwork: students should do "much" work with "many" hands

• teach many topics on a very deep level

Synergistic Curriculum

• When students are reading the same book for multiple classes, quality can be the focus.

• One book can yield connections to every subject.

• With planning and teamwork, unmotivated readers can be inspired by their love of non-ELA subjects

~Let's Try to Synergize~

Dom is going to read a poem. How could this poem relate to your content area? While listening, think about an activity you could do in your own class using the poem.

Multiple Choice

What are we about to do?

• take a break

• Listen to a poem and brainstorm an activity you could do in your own class using the poem.

• My dog was barking. I didn't hear you.

• Is this for a grade?

If we were all teaching this poem, what activities could we do with our students related to our content areas?

Let's discuss!

Open Ended

What did you learn today that you could use in your classroom?