Addy and Angela's Reading Strategies

Before Reading: Adjunct Display.
        Basically, the strategy is to provide some sort of visual that aids the reading to help gain an understanding. Addy and Angela showed a map of Spain which the story was based in. The map showed the relationship between Madrid and the town which they are currently in. They then asked asked think-a-loud questions based on an intro read. The questions did not spark anything within me to engage in the story. The questions were difficult to answer because the intro did not provide much to base answers off of.

During Reading Strategy:
        Afterwards,we were asked to read the whole story, which was 3 pages long. I read the story, and afterwards Angela and Addy read the story to the class. At this time, we were asked to underline, write in the margins, and make connections in the story. During this time, I had difficulty attending to their reading because I had already comprehended the story well. I suppose this time would be a good opportunity for those who struggled make sense of the text, but it seemed like more of an opportunity for students to mentally attend to something else. After that reading, we discussed with our tablemates several more prompting questions which we later discussed with the class as a whole.

        After Reading Strategy: SPAWN (Special powers, Problem solving, Alternative viewpoints, What if?,                      
        and Next).    For the strategy, we were asked to select one of the aspects of SPAWN, and write for a few-5 minutes about the story. I liked this strategy because it allows the students to have some control by selecting one of five predetermined topics to write on based on the text which we had already read. Also, all of the after reading options allowed students to use their imagination about the story.

Overall, I thought the lesson went well. I especially liked the after reading strategy. I think students feel empowered when teachers give students less direction and more options. Especially for students who resist authority, which many do, SPAWN empowers students. I also liked the before reading strategy. Seeing the map before indulging into the story helped me visualize the setting and allowed for better comprehension overall.