1. READING FIG SPRING 2011

2. Participants Patricia Seery Gabe Winer Ellen Rosenfield

3. Inquiry Question What are the thought processes or strategies ESL students use to assist them in comprehending texts written in English?

4. Methodology Read the article silently Freewrite about the article Rate the article Formulate the 3 most important questions that you need answered in order to better understand the article Discuss the article as a group Rate the article again

5. Findings/Possible Resolutions Let students talk - they exchange valuable information and are a resource for each other Allow time for groups to warm up and get going Allow more time for group activities Create tasks that validate group work and refute the notion the a teacher-centered classroom = real learning Provide students with lexical bundles/fixed phrases/templates for use in discussions

6. Findings/Possible Resolutions Create more opportunities in all skill areas for students to respond to texts - “they say, I say” Frequent quick writes in response to texts Ramp up level of extensive reading Develop students’ cultural, geography, and history knowledge of the US (workshops, lectures, competitions)

7. Thank You Any questions or comments?