Strategy implementation and monitoring are vital to students’ academic improvement. When students apply strategies conscientiously, they overcome obstacles to learning. However, strategies are not magic and there is no single strategy that works for every student. Likewise, a strategy that is only used once will not work for any student.
Hillside teachers work to find the appropriate strategies for a student, and focus on their use during the school day. Below are some of the strategies students use at Hillside
ALL PURPOSE STRATEGIES:
CIA Check it Again
DIMS Does it Make Sense
ASK QUESTIONS
WHISPER TO YOURSELF
READING STRATEGIES:
RAP Read - Ask Questions - Paraphrase
Students need practice learning to paraphrase
WIN What I know - I might learn - Now I know
Divide page into 3 sections. Label each section:
W (What I know) I (I might learn) N (Now I know)
*Before you read, write everything you already know about the topic in the W section.
*In the I section, write some things you expect to learn as you read. (remember the W questions – who, what, where, when, why)
*After you read, use the N section to write new things you have learned.
KWL What I KNOW - What I WANT to know - What I LEARNED
Similar to WIN (see above)
Divide page into 3 sections. Label each section:
K (What I know) W (What I want to know) L (What I learned)
STICKY NOTES – Put them on the page you are reading. Use the “W” questions to make notes; you can number the sticky notes to help you write a report.
REREAD - reread if something does not make sense (DIMS). Reread right away when something is unclear or reread at the end of the passage when you have a little more information to help clear things up.
SCAN & RUN- upper grade reading comprehension
- Survey headings and turn them into questions
- Capture the captions and visuals
- Attack the boldface words
- Note and read the chapter questions
- Read and adjust speed
- Use word identification skills (SOUNDING OUT, LOOKING FOR OTHER WORD CLUES IN THE SENTENCE, BREAKING THE WORD INTO PARTS FOR UNKNOWN WORDS)
- Notice and check parts you don’t understand and reread or read on
WRITING STRATEGIES:
PARAPHRASE – say things in your own words
COPS - Capitalization, Organization (overall appearance), Punctuation, Spelling
TALKING SPELL CHECKER/COMPUTER
OTHER STRATEGIES:
CHARTS – make a chart or picture
reading/writing/memory strategy
MENTAL PICTURES
memory strategy
COFA – Close mouths, Open ears, Focus eyes, Ask questions
listening strategy
COLOR CODE – Color the steps to multistep questions
organization
LIST – Make a list
organization
SCORE – Share ideas, Compliment others, Offer help, Recommend changes nicely, Exercise self-control
cooperative group strategy
OTM – On the Mind – Out the Mouth
classroom attention
POE – Position of Excellence
attention strategy
SIT CLOSE TO THE TEACHER
listening/attention strategy