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Reading K-3

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Reading K-3 > Strategies > Whole Language

Whole Language

Overview

Whole language stresses the importance of students understanding language by reading meaningful texts and drawing connections to their own life experiences.

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Example: Use This Strategy In in the Classroom

  • Research has found that students with strong early literacy skills, such as Vocabulary and Decoding, made greater gains in reading when engaged in meaning-making activities (Connor and Morrison, 2016; Connor et al., 2004). For these students, teachers can introduce rich literature and a variety of genres to foster enthusiasm for reading. They can also help support continued growth in Decoding skills within the context of what students are reading, which allows students to draw phonic connections as they appear in a text. By engaging in these authentic, structured readings, students understand the importance of connecting reading to their lives and deepen their reading comprehension skills.

    • Design It into Your Product

  • Products can support whole language by providing diverse texts that are interesting and stimulating to learners. Additionally, creating the context for skills instruction through the integration of high-quality literature and learners’ writing promotes further meaningful language development.

    • Design It into Your Product

    See how WriteReader applies whole language to help children learn to write when they are also learning to read. Through creating and writing their own books, learners develop their reading and writing skills concurrently, which enhances the meaningfulness of these processes.

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    Additional Resources

    Additional examples, research, and professional development. These resources are possible representations of this strategy, not endorsements.

    Factors Supported by this Strategy

    Student Background Information
    Social Emotional Learning
    Cognition
    Language and Literacy

    More Programmatic Interventions Strategies

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    Mindset Kit

    The Mindset Kit offers free online lessons and practices to help teach and foster adaptive beliefs about learning.

    Non-Intensive HLE Intervention Program

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    Phonics Programs

    Students with low early literacy skills benefit from a focus on phonics and Phonological Awareness.

    Responsive Classroom

    Responsive Classroom is an evidence-based approach focused on the link between academic success and SEL development.

    SEL Programs and Workshops

    Many programs offer lesson plans for focused sessions on understanding and managing emotions.

    Toolkit of Resources for Engaging Families and Community as Partners in Education

    This toolkit provides resources to support family well-being and students’ ongoing learning and development.

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