Developing a Living Definition of Reading in the Elementary Classroom

Students investigate the reading process and end up with a working definition of reading using different types of books. Each student brainstorms what it means to be a successful reader. Based upon shared findings and discussions, students then create a living definition of reading. This definition can be posted and revised as more is learned about reading during the year.


In the lesson, the teacher and students explore the reading process together and create a working definition for reading. This would be useful in helping focus students' reading and engagement. Students can explore a variety of texts and internet sources to determine what the definition of reading is.

Standards & Objectives

Academic standards
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.4
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 4 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.4
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 5 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.5
Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.6
Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal contrast, addition,...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.3.4
Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.4.3
Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.4.4
Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.5.3
Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.5.4
Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.10
By the end of year, read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts, in the grades 4-5 text...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.2
Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details; summarize the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.4
Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words or phrases in a text relevant to a grade 4 topic or subject area.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.10
By the end of the year, read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts, at the high end of...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.2
Determine two or more main ideas of a text and explain how they are supported by key details; summarize the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.10
By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poetry, in the grades 4-5 text complexity band proficiently,...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.2
Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including those that allude to significant characters found in mythology...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.10
By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poetry, at the high end of the grades 4-5 text complexity...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.2
Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.5
Explain how a series of chapters, scenes, or stanzas fits together to provide the overall structure of a particular story, drama, or poem.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.9
Compare and contrast stories in the same genre (e.g., mysteries and adventure stories) on their approaches to similar themes and topics.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.3.2
Determine the main ideas and supporting details of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually,...
GLE 0301.1.2
Demonstrate knowledge of strategies and resources to determine the definition, pronunciation, and usage of words and phrases.
GLE 0301.8.1
Use active comprehension strategies before, during, and after reading.
GLE 0301.8.4
Explore basic literary terms (e.g., setting, point of view, simile, metaphor, rhythm).
GLE 0401.1.2
Demonstrate knowledge of strategies and resources to determine the definition, pronunciation, and usage of words and phrases.
GLE 0401.1.3
Demonstrate knowledge of Standard English sentence structure.
GLE 0401.6.1
Apply skills and strategies to comprehend informational texts.
GLE 0401.8.1
Use active comprehension strategies to derive meaning while reading and check for understanding after reading.
GLE 0401.8.2
Experience various literary genres, including fiction/nonfiction, poetry, drama, short stories, folk tales, and myths.
GLE 0501.1.2
Demonstrate knowledge of strategies and resources to determine the definition, pronunciation, and usage of words and phrases.
GLE 0501.6.1
Apply appropriate skills and strategies to comprehend informational texts (e.g., pre-reading strategies, comprehension strategies, graphic organizers,...
GLE 0501.8.1
Use previously learned comprehension strategies before, during, and after reading.
GLE 0501.8.2
Experience various literary genres, including fiction and nonfiction, poetry, drama, chapter books, biography/autobiography, short stories, folk tales, myths,...
GLE 0501.8.3
Understand the basic characteristics of the genres (e.g., narratives, prose, poetry, drama) studied.
SPI 0401.1.13
Recognize and use grade appropriate vocabulary within context.
SPI 0401.1.14
Use prefixes, suffixes, and root words as aids in determining meaning within context.
SPI 0401.1.16
Determine the meaning of unfamiliar words using context clues, dictionaries, and glossaries.
SPI 0501.1.12
Recognize root words, prefixes, and syllabication as aids in determining meaning within context.
SPI 0501.1.15
Recognize and use grade appropriate vocabulary within context.
SPI 0501.1.16
Determine the correct meaning/usage of multiple meaning words within context.
SPI 0501.8.1
Identify setting, characters, plot, and theme.
SPI 0501.8.7
Identify similes, metaphors, personification, and hyperbole in context.
TSS.ELA.3.FL.F.5
Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
TSS.ELA.3.SL.CC.2
Determine the main ideas and supporting details of a text presented in diverse media such as visual, quantitative, and oral formats.
TSS.ELA.4.FL.F.5
Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
TSS.ELA.4.FL.PWR.3
Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills when decoding isolated words and in connected text.
TSS.ELA.4.FL.VA.7a
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 4 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of...
TSS.ELA.4.FL.VA.7b
Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
TSS.ELA.4.FL.VA.7c
Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal precise actions, emotions,...
TSS.ELA.4.RI.CS.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text relevant to a grade 4 topic or subject area, including figurative, connotative, and...
TSS.ELA.4.RI.KID.2
Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details; summarize a text.
TSS.ELA.4.RI.RRTC.10
Read and comprehend stories and informational texts throughout the grades 4-5 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding at the high end as needed.
TSS.ELA.4.RL.CS.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including those that refer to significant characters and situations found in...
TSS.ELA.4.RL.KID.2
Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text.
TSS.ELA.4.RL.RRTC.10
Read and comprehend stories and poems throughout the grades 4-5 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding at the high end as needed.
TSS.ELA.5.FL.F.5
Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
TSS.ELA.5.FL.PWR.3
Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills when decoding isolated words and in connected text.
TSS.ELA.5.FL.VA.7a
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 5 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of...
TSS.ELA.5.FL.VA.7b
Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
TSS.ELA.5.FL.VA.7c
Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal contrast, addition, and...
TSS.ELA.5.RI.CS.5
Compare and contrast the overall structure of events, ideas, and concepts of information in two or more texts.
TSS.ELA.5.RI.IKI.9
Integrate information from two or more texts on the same topic in order to build content knowledge.
TSS.ELA.5.RI.KID.2
Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details; summarize the text.
TSS.ELA.5.RI.RRTC.10
Read and comprehend stories and informational texts at the high end of the grades 4-5 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
TSS.ELA.5.RL.CS.5
Explain how a series of chapters, scenes, or stanzas fit together to provide the overall structure of particular texts.
TSS.ELA.5.RL.IKI.9
Compare and contrast stories in the same genre on their approaches to similar themes and topics.
TSS.ELA.5.RL.KID.2
Determine a theme or central idea of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text.
TSS.ELA.5.RL.RRTC.10
Read and comprehend stories and poems at the high end of the grades 4-5 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
 
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References

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