Part 1: Glossary

Define the terms below and add them to the “Glossary” section of the toolkit.

Language structure

Syntax

Semantics

Verbal reasoning

Literal language

Figurative language

Literacy knowledge

Imaginative/Literary text

Informational/Expository text

Part 2: Strategies for Understanding Language Structure, Verbal Reasoning, and Literary Knowledge

Select a grade band (K-3, 4-8, or 9-12) and content you currently teach or are most interested in teaching. Create a digital deliverable of your choice such as a chart, infographic, bookmarked document, or website page, that provides examples of classroom activities and strategies students can use to understand language structures, verbal reasoning, and literary knowledge. The deliverable should include the following:

Describe two grade appropriate instructional activities or strategies that could be used in your content area to help students understand syntax and semantics.

Describe two age appropriate activities or strategies that could be used in your content area to help students make inferences and identify and/or understand figurative language devices.

Describe two age appropriate activities or strategies that could be used in your content area to teach print concepts and distinctions between imaginative/literary and informational/expository text and the purpose of reading.

Add the digital deliverable to your Reading Toolkit.

In a 250 word reflection, include the following:

Discuss why it is important for content area teachers to present information using both informative/expository and imaginative/literary texts.

Describe how the varied structure of different types of text can help students improve reading comprehension skills.