I+wonder

= = =Strategy Name: I Wonder… =

Strategy Description:
I wonder is a strategy that utilizes writing to promote good reading. Students who are curious and ask questions will be better readers. And student generated questions will encourage student engagement.

Course Description:

 * Applied Communications is a 9-week course that promotes reading and writing.
 * 5 classes of 28-30 students.
 * Classes include general education students, special education students, instructional learning disabled students, gifted, and ELLs.
 * This strategy would work with any content area class.

Rationale:

 * Gives me the opportunity to model what good readers do.
 * Questioning…students are thinking!
 * Students like to sit and have the teacher feed them the information—that includes the question. I want my students to be as independent as possible.
 * Students who generate their own questions will be more engaged readers.
 * This strategy can allow for student inquiry—it drives instruction.
 * Challenges students.

Diverse Learners:

 * This strategy meets learners where they are—already a modification.
 * This strategy allows gifted learners to go beyond.
 * The strategy is visual and oral as the teacher models.
 * This strategy allows for sharing—middle school students love to socialize.

Procedure:

 * 1) I model questioning with a difficult piece of text—just me doing a think aloud. These are my real questions.
 * 2) Next, I invite the students to create a list of real questions they have about the world.
 * 3) Using their list, students create a found poem out of the questions.
 * 4) Invite students to share and publish their “I wonder” poems.

Potential Issues:
 
 * Students get outlandish with their questions (they are middle school students after all!).

References/Materials:

 * **Strategy from:** Tovani, C. (2000). //I read it, but I don't get it: Comprehension strategies for// //adolescent readers//. Portland, ME: Stenhouse Publishers.

1. Sample I wonder poems ||
 * In binder:**