Article #3 Comprehension Windows Strategy

This article was entitled Comprehension Windows Strategy:A Comprehension Strategy and Prop
for Reading and Writing Informational Text by Mary Lee Bass, Deborah Gee Woo. I really liked the activity that this article presented in order to help students organize information that they learn from reading a nonfiction text. I think that using the sticky notes and creating a visual is a good way for students to begin to develop and form their initial understanding about a topic. It is my belief that each time something is read something new is gained from the reading. I think that this strategy will help students to see this as they read a piece of informational text for the first time as well as subsequent readings of the same or similar texts.

The article states "CWS addresses multiple learner outcomes, specifically it (a) facilitates building a content knowledge base, (b) organizes facts, (c) motivates students to
become active readers and writers, (d) supports critical thinking, and (e) introduces proper documentation and use of citations." As a third grade teacher this is so important because their is a major focus in reading instruction from learning to read to reading to learn. Using this comprehension strategy seems like it will help to scaffold and facilitate this challenge. The one part of the strategy that I might find most difficult would be to have the kids properly reference where the information is coming from. I would most likely have them record the title of the article or the book that it came from but not worry as much about proper citations.

The challenge that I can see with this activity would be the use of sticky notes. I use sticky notes in my classroom a lot but it must be modeled, modeled, modeled before students are able to do this is partners or independently. I think that as teachers it is important that we model the use of sticky notes as well as the strategy so that students can be successful in using this. I can see using this strategy as a way for older students to outline what they might write in a report in which case the citations would be extremely important. I plan on using this strategy during my unit on Rocks and Minerals as a way for students to organize information.

I am wondering if you girls can see using this strategy with first and second graders? If so what modifications would you need to make to make this strategy successful? Also what other strategies do you use when teaching your students about nonfiction texts and writing about nonfiction texts?