[MOSAIC] quick strategy share

[Kukonis at aol.com]

My usual approach is to use the texts listed in Debbie Miller for  
questioning but after attending a workshop by Linda Hoyt I have decided to use  more 
nonfiction texts. That way they can sketch to stretch their mental images  and 
actually be accountable for understanding the text rather than having to  
consider that their picture is open to interpretation of the author's words. It  
also makes sense in terms of their connections because they can much more easily  
modify or confirm their connections. Again, often though certainly not 
always,  fiction connections and inferences are open to opinion about the author's 
words  rather than fact. 
 
For example, we are studying the moon, sun, and stars. My interactive read  
aloud very definitely implants certain visual images that are substantiated by  
the text: moon surface, orbit, phases etc. The kids can check how deep they 
are  thinking about the words by evaluating the details of their sketches. 
 
The Moon by Gail Gibbons
So that's how the moon changes shape   both good choices for  mental images 
and connections
 
 
Experiments with the sun and the moon (great for inferences)
 
Though any book works with any strategy. 
 
I love doing a four blocks lesson called (Guess yes or no) as an  
anticipatory set for their connections. Moves the whole K-W-L along.
 
I also love doing a four blocks game called rivet with inferences .
 
Yeah... I like thinking more in terms of an umbrella of ideas from one  
reading.