LOOK-FORS+Reading


 * LEARNING ENVIRONMENT [Domain 2]**
 * charts that reinforce reading strategies posted visibly
 * word walls with content specific vocabulary & cues [words, visual representations]
 * graphic organizers posted to help students interact with texts [KWL, t-chart, venn diagrams]
 * learning goals, objectives, and essential questions posted visibly
 * goals identify skills for reading comprehension


 * INSTRUCTION [Domain 3]**
 * mini-lessons that explicitly teach a reading skill or strategy
 * reading-centered learning activities [literature circles, guided reading, reading workshop]
 * teacher models strategies or techniques
 * opportunities for guided and independent practice
 * teacher is the facilitator of learning [conferencing w/ students]
 * teacher is asking clarifying questions, re-teaching, and checking for understanding
 * teacher is formatively assessing and/or logging individual student progress [anecdotal log]
 * opportunities for students to share the experiences, impressions, and ideas relating to the reading activity


 * LEARNING MATERIALS [Domain 1]**
 * rich texts from authentic sources [journals, newspaper articles, media sources, online]
 * text complexity and differentiation
 * reading logs and discussion prompts
 * products of learning involve higher order thinking skills [compare and contrast, author's purpose, themes, argument]


 * STUDENT ENGAGEMENT [Domain 2/3]**
 * students are reading with pen in hand [they are interacting with the text]
 * students are employing strategies and skills for reading
 * students are working in response groups/partners [cooperative learning]
 * students are engaged in discussion to construct meaning from the text
 * responding to comprehension prompts
 * using appropriate and/or content-specific vocabulary
 * referring to text to draw conclusions or make inferences
 * extending the conversation