Strategy #2
Pre-Reading Plan (PreP) Level of Expertise 2
What is the instructional strategy?
This is a “before reading” strategy that allows students to activate prior knowledge about a topic and expanding upon this knowledge. PreP encourages students to discuss the topic prior to reading (or in this case, viewing) a text. Students are asked to think about words or phrases that have to do with the topic or that they associate with the topic. This strategy also encourages students to think about why they made these associations and how their thoughts connect back to the topic of discussion (Billmeyer & Barton, 1998).
Why does the strategy work?
This strategy allows students to think about the topic, as well as any ideas that they already associate with this topic. Through this strategy, students can reflect on why they associate particular words or concepts with the topic being studied. In addition, this strategy encourages students to extend their thinking about the topic and to synthesize any new information they have learned while utilizing this strategy. I am using PreP with a video that provides an overview of persuasive writing. PreP will work well with this video as my students will be able to focus their thinking before watching the video. In addition, my students can determine what they already know about persuasive writing and the types of things that they associate with this genre. Using this strategy prior to watching the video will allow my students to gain more information from the video and will aid them in forming a better understanding of persuasive writing.
How does it work?
1) Identify the topic or central concept and ask students “What comes to your mind when you think of _____________?” In this case, I will ask students what comes to their minds when they think of persuasive writing. This strategy will be used prior to viewing the video on Teacher Tube at http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=128892.
2) Students individually write down their associations.
3) Students share their associations first in pairs and then as a large group. A class list of these associations is compiled on the chalkboard or whiteboard.
4) Students reflect on why each association was made, through answering the question “What made you think of ___________?” Students complete this reflection in the form of a large group discussion.
5) After this discussion, ask students if they have any additional information on the topic of persuasive writing or if their ideas about persuasive writing (i.e. what it is and how it is used) have changed.
Sources Referenced: Billmeyer & Barton, 1998; www.teachertube.com
What it looks like:
Name_______________________________
Directions: Please complete the following questions before and after viewing the Teacher Tube video about persuasive writing.
Before viewing the video and before our class discussion:
1) What comes to your mind when you think of persuasive writing?
convincing, tv ads, arguing, supporting details, evidence, trying to get others to understand your point of view
2) What comes to your mind when you think of an argument?
yelling, debating, two different opinions, can't agree
3) What comes to your mind when you think of an opinion?
a viewpoint, may not be based on facts, each person has their own, thoughts, ideas
4) Think about your responses to the first three questions. Why did these responses come to your mind when you thought of these words?
My responses were based on experiences I have had or situations that I have encountered with each of these words or concepts. These responses reflect my current understanding of each of these concepts. For example, I usually think of an argument as a negative thing, whereas I think of persuasive writing as being either positive or negative (actually, I usually consider it to be neutral). Also, I have been asked to give my opinion in many situations (including in school), so my words are based on my knowledge that an opinion is a person's thoughts or ideas on a given subject.
After viewing the video and after our class discussion:
5) Can you think of any new information about persuasive writing?
6) Have your thoughts or opinions about persuasive writing changed?
