Literacy Strategies

1. Read, Pair, Share

ELPS Standard: 74.4 4I - demonstrate English comprehension and expand reading skills
by employing basic reading skills such as demonstrating understanding of supporting
ideas and details in text and graphic sources, summarizing text, and distinguishing main
ideas from details commensurate with content area needs
Description: Read, Pair, Share is a comprehension strategy that teaches the student to
answer the questions of who, what, where, when, and why in a text. For this strategy,
two students are partnered together to read sections of a text. After they read the section,
they answer the above questions together. If they cant answer the questions, they read
the text again (Herrell, & Jordan, 2012). This strategy could be adapted and used for all
content areas. For example, it could be used to read portions of academic texts in social
studies and literature in language arts.
Rationale: This strategy helps ELLs develop literacy in an innatist way by giving them
specific questions to answer and teaching them how to find the answers to those
questions in their own words. In answering the basic questions of who, what, where,
when, and why, the student will increase their comprehension and distinguish the main
ideas versus minor details. This strategy would work well with intermediate and
advanced language learners since it requires oral language, and it also provides
scaffolding through interaction with their peers.
2. Word Wall
ELPS Standard: 74.4 5B - write using newly acquired basic vocabulary and contentbased grade-level vocabulary

Description: This strategy seems boring, but can be a very valuable teaching tool. Word
walls consist of words written on a large piece of paper or bulletin board for students to
reference (Herrell, & Jordan, 2012). I would use this strategy in all content areas to not
only help students with spelling and writing but also in comprehension. For example, I
would have the word happy written in Spanish and English for them to make the
connection, and I would also have synonym word walls so they could practice writing or
saying a variety of words with the same meaning. So, if they were writing and had
already used the word happy in their paragraph, I could have them reference the word
wall and pick a synonym such as glad or joyful to use instead. I would also use the word
wall as a place to put new vocabulary words they learned in other content area classes,
such as science or music.
Rationale: This strategy helps ELLs develop literacy through giving them visuals to
reference to help them remember new words they have learned. I would use this strategy
as part of my practice application in a SIOP lesson plan.