Course | Critical Thinking and Literacy Strategies

Course Summary

Unleashing Minds: Critical Thinking and Literacy Strategies
Critical thinking and literacy strategies offer teachers a variety of activity ideas and resources for implementing effective reading instruction year after year.

Let’s be honest, teachers simply do not have time to research, then implement the latest fad in reading instruction, especially if it is going to be phased out within a year or so. This course sheds light on best practices and proven (in the classroom) strategies for teachers to use, to help students achieve or exceed grade level benchmarks.

Teachers will be provided with the latest research on how using interest-based content helps students to think critically. They will experience how their own brains process complex information, watch the implementation of critical thinking strategies in a classroom setting and learn how to increase critical thinking experiences for students in their classrooms. The focus will then shift to the practical reading strategies that help improve comprehension skills during various stages of reading. Finally, teachers will learn specific decoding strategies for accommodating students with dyslexia and effective organizational tools to make managing the activities a breeze.

Enjoy the variety of strategies offered in this course as well as choosing the ones that will work best for meeting your students’ needs.

Course Details

• 15 Hours
• 1.5 IACET CEUs
• 12 ACSI Credits

Projects To Be Completed

1. Video Analysis- Inspiring Students of the Future
2. Critical Thinking Activity and Reflection
3. Pre-Reading Strategies: Word Splash, Anticipation Guide
4. During Reading Choice Activity: Talk to the Text, Insert Notes, Reciprocal Teaching
5. After Reading Activities: Closed/Open Ended Questions, RAFT, Text Reformulation
6. Analyze Reading Strategies

Prerequisites

• Basic computer file management knowledge, e.g., opening, saving, and uploading files, creating folders.
• Scanning or saving digital photos.
• Proficiency in Word Processing.

Materials

1. Internet
2. Any word processing program
3. Scanner or Digital Camera
4. Adobe Acrobat Reader 10.1.01 or later.

Professional Learning Objectives

• Analyze critical thinking activities through course text, provided video, and guided instruction with 100% completion.
• Design and create their own critical thinking activity using course text, instructional examples, and provided templates with 100% completion.
• Respond to reflection questions regarding their critical thinking activity with 100% completion.
• Produce Word Splash activity and Anticipation Guide using course text, guided instruction, and provided templates with 100% completion.
• Choose and complete a critical thinking experience (Talk to the Text, Insert Notes, or Reciprocal Teaching Chart) with 100% completion.
• Complete Open/Closed Ended activity table, produce a RAFT table, and Text Reformulation chart with 100% completion.
• Analyze and complete response questions regarding implementing reading strategies to support specific learning needs of students with 100% completion.

Common Core Standards

• ELA 1.2 Reading Informational Text
• ELA 1.3 Reading Literature
• ELA 1.4 Writing
• ELA 1.5 Speaking and Listening