Today I learned about the "graffiti wall" and the "reader's theater"--they are two strategies you can use to engage students in the reading they are doing. The graffiti wall is a tool you can use to improve student comprehension and analytical skills. Students can use markers or different drawing mediums to decorate a large piece of paper. There is no need to worry about text direction or spacing, just let the students have fun and express themselves. It is inexpensive, socially stimulating, and very easy to set-up. In addition, the teacher can discern the types of learners there are in the classroom. The other strategy, reading theater, is something that takes a little longer. I participated in one when I was in high school, so I remember how it went. It demands that the student read the material first, then create their shortened version of the script, and finally perform the piece. I think this is well-suited for students who are older. It takes a lot to orchestrate and place the students into groups, is more challenging to set-up, and may require more resources when the students get too creative. Although a bit more time consuming, reader's theater is equally as entertaining as graffiti wall--something I think the students will enjoy.
I agree with you that students will enjoy the reader's theater. We sure seemed to.
ReplyDeleteThe graffiti wall was a very fun strategy. It allows every participant to express their thoughts on paper the way they want to :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Gemma. These were great activities for our students to participate in.
ReplyDeletei agree too. when we were doing the activity i thinking of how i can do the readers' theather for my class next year.
ReplyDeleteNow Gemma...as a teacher in middle school do you see this as a possible approach to do your lessons?
ReplyDeleteThese activities are awesome. They seem as if they would help struggling students a great deal.
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