This summer, a group of 3rd - 8th grade teachers joined me to learn about an inquiry approach to Genre Study as outlined by my favorite people.... Fountas and Pinnell!! Using this strategy, students discover the elements of a particular genre instead of the teacher telling them. This makes the learning more meaningful and longer-lasting. Here is a basic rundown of the process teachers take to guide students through the inquiry process in genre study: The teacher collects many different texts within a certain genre. For example, if the students are exploring historical fiction, the teacher will find many different historical fiction books or texts - easy, hard, simple language, complex language, different authors and styles, different topics. Students are immersed in the genre. Throughout the unit, the teacher reads aloud different historical fiction and students read such books during independent and partner books. Students then study to identify what characteristics all
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The best reading programs address all five of the domains shown on the graphic below. Below each pillar are the grade levels that have associated TEKS. Notice that fluency instruction begins in First Grade and continues through Eighth Grade. Fluency refers to much more than quick reading. Rate is only one part of the fluency puzzle; please do not overemphasize speed without addressing the other domains of fluency, as outlined by Fountas and Pinnell: pausing - pausing at appropriate points phrasing - breaking the text up into meaningful chunks intonation/rhythm - voice goes up and down at appropriate times stress - some words are said slightly louder for emphasis rate - reading at an appropriate pace, which varies as needed; not too fast and not too slow integration - using the other 7 dimensions together I do not advocate measuring reading rate before level J in guided reading. Please use the fluency rubr