Beck and McKeown (2001) Assignment

1- In the article, Text Talk, what seem to be the most important points? Discuss several of them.

This article is about how to effectively use reading aloud to stimulate vocabulary growth. The author stresses the fact that even though challenging material cannot be given when the child is reading on his own due to limited word recognition, you can challenge the reader by selecting read aloud books that will make them think critically and by talking about the books with the child you enhance the child’s language development even more.

Encouraging the child to focus on the important story ideas and giving him time to reflect is the most effective kind of “text talk.”  Stay away from questions that only require one word answers. By challenging the child to think more deeply into the text he will get more out of it. However asking too many questions can  take away from the story so keep it simple.

Make sure the book chosen is appropriate for the child. You don’t want a book to be too easy because then the child will not learn anything, so you need to make sure it is challenging in both vocabulary and plot so that the child will benefit.

2- Summarize the key steps in planning and performing a Text Talk lesson.

1. Choose an appropriate book- Challenging but not too hard.

2. Read through the book and decide the main points of the story and also keep an eye out for vocabulary words that the child may not know.

3. Develop questions that will make the child think critically about the book and help them in the understanding of it.

4. Read the story out loud to the child asking your pre-written questions when necessary.

5. Show illustrations after the student has answered the question, that way they don’t answer your questions according to what the pictures portray but instead according to what they have heard.

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