Thematic Units are Back! Building Background Knowledge using Informational Theme-based Text Sets
Developing a rich schema is essential for effective reasoning. A schema encompasses all the factual knowledge and categories we understand about the world. Children who lack a well-developed schema face significant learning disadvantages, as they may struggle to make inferences and draw conclusions due to limited factual knowledge and vocabulary. Therefore, it is crucial for teachers and parents to strategically plan to help these children develop world knowledge.
For children acquiring English as a second language, expanding vocabulary is vital to match the proficiency of their English-only peers. Vocabulary builds at a much quicker pace when reading a set of connected texts. Text sets—collections of books, articles, and multimedia resources centered around a specific topic—are adaptable tools perfect for building knowledge and vocabulary. The use of text sets can be tailored to the individual needs of students, allowing for varying levels of independence or teacher support. Activities within text set resources often reflect best practices for English Language Learner instruction, including:
Building Background Knowledge: Text sets provide multiple exposures to a topic, helping students connect new information with existing knowledge.
Scaffolding Learning: By offering multi-modal materials, text sets support gradual learning progression, accommodating diverse proficiency levels.
Enhancing Engagement: The variety of genres and media in text sets keeps students engaged, catering to different learning preferences and promoting sustained interest.
Text Set Protocol
The protocol below assumes that students will be engaged in reading and viewing text sets with the support of the teacher and/or another adult staff member. This can be done full class, or in small groups, but will likely require adult support in this grade band.
Step one: Build knowledge and vocabulary as you build student interest and engagement in the topic.
Step two: Read an anchor text orally or show a short video about the topic.
Step three: Engage in group discussion about the content.
Step four: Write about what was read. Give students multiple ways to share their new learning .
Step five-Create a collection of related pictures, articles, books, and videos for deeper exploration.
Example of an Online Text Set
Here are some ideas for students during a topic study.
Rolling Knowledge Journal-Download Now!
Read each selection in the set, one at a time.
After you read each resource, stop and think about what the big learning was.
What did you learn that was new and important about the topic from this resource?
Write, draw, or list what you learned from the text.
Then write, draw, or list how this new resource added to what you learned from the last resource(s).
Fabulous Five-Download Now!
Read each resource then determine the 5 most important words.
Next use your 5 words to write about the most important ideas of the text.
Revise each sentence using the words “because, but, so”.
Be a Quiz Maker
Make a list of questions that would make sure that another student understood the information.
Your classmates should be able to find the answer to the question from the resource.
Include answers for each question.
Include where you can find the answer in the resource.
Wonderings – (Recommended for At the Watering Hole)
Source: www.achievethcore.org
Sources:
Using Text Sets with ELLs - A World of Language Learners
Multimedia Text Sets: A How-To Guide - Reading Rockets
The Thomas B. Fordham Institute
What are "text sets," and why use them in the classroom? - The Thomas B ...