Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Crazy Professor Reading…Un-silent Reading!

The Crazy Professor Reading Game is a multi-step program that engages a student into the world of written language in a whole new way! In the Silent Reading segment of the game, Chris Biffle states, ”A major problem with silent reading as an in-class activity is that students drift off into their own worlds. If you’ve instructed your students to quietly illustrate what they read with gestures, you can easily tell who is on, or off, task. In addition, using gestures as they read will increase students’ comprehension. Instead of glossing over phrases, they must find a physical equivalent of the meaning of what they’re reading.”

Now here is a change! For young students…take the ‘Silent’ out! Beginning readers need to HEAR the language as they read. They need to bring BIG kinesthetic movement through gestures to the process to increase the understanding of the printed word. Later as a student matures in the reading process, ‘Silent’ reading takes its place!

So how do you get a student started in this method of UN-silent reading? Model! Model! Model! When you introduce a selection, use Mirror Words and pull your students into the wonder of the words. Create dramatic gestures that imprint meaning into the vocabulary. This is not only important for English Learners, but for all learners of the written language! Don’t limit this method to just literature. Bring math, science, and even the Lunch Menu to life! If it’s in print, bring new meaning to it!

Here is a short sample of the Crazy Professor Reading Game in the Un-silent mode with a group of second graders.

 

The next level of the Crazy Professor Reading Game is Paraphrasing…Yes, 2nd graders CAN do this!  After many readings, students are now ready to retell the story to a partner in dramatic style with their own words!  Amazing!  I incorporate ‘Switch!’ to keep the engagement and energy high!  The print comes to life again through the words and gestures of each individual student!  Watch again as this same group of students retell the story!

For more information, go to http://wholebrainteaching.com/

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Thank for the videos!! I have been wanting to formally intro this with my class.. They love watching different classes! What do you do for kids that are not reading at grade level? I have 4... 3 have come far but still they are not on grade level...

Thanks! I ordered my 2nd grade shirts for June can't wait!!

Chelsea
Kickin It Whole Brain In Texas

Nancy Stoltenberg Director of WBT Certification said...

Hi Chelsea!
The Crazy Professor is one part of my reading program. I also utilize daily SuperSpeed Read, Critical Thinking sets for comprehension using Oral Writing and Writing, and small group leveled reading to reteach/reinforce core standards. When a student continues to show limited growth, I begin a Student Study Team process to enlist the Resource Specialist and School Psychologist. Currently, I have three students who have been identified with a Specific Learning Disability. They receive additional instruction each day with the RSP teacher, who is also utilizing WBT techniques! We are seeing very positive growth towards reaching grade level expectations. I also train parents in WBT methods they may use at home to help their child. Keep up the good work with those little guys!

That is so great you are going to LA this summer! It is an amazing conference!

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