1K I A N A P A Y N EK A I T L I N C O W E L L

MAKING MEANING

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WHAT IS MAKING MEANING

• The Making Meaning program is a classroom-tested K–8 reading curriculum that intentionally combines comprehension strategies with social and emotional learning to create an environment in which students learn to collaborate, agree and disagree respectfully, and take responsibility for their own learning. Carefully selected nonfiction and fiction read-aloud trade books provide a rich, rewarding experience as students experience increasingly complex texts and build their vocabulary.

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WHAT’S INCLUDED

• The program consists of a Teacher’s Manual, 11–29 trade books, program orientation materials, and additional grade-level-specific components in each grade-level package.

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WHAT’S TAUGHT

• Strategies taught directly:• Visualizing• Wondering/Questioning• Making inferences• Understanding text

structure• Determining important

ideas• Synthesizing

• Strategy taught Informally:• Making

connections/Using schema

• Examples of social skills:• Giving reasons to support

thoughts and opinions• Talking and listening to one

another• Using prompts to add to

another person’s thinking• Asking clarifying questions• Reaching agreement• Discussing opinions

respectfully• Confirming that they

understood another person• Including one another• Contributing to group work• Giving and receiving feedback

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IMPLEMENTATION

• The Making Meaning program is designed to serve as the comprehension component of a literacy program. Teachers can use it to replace or enhance the comprehension component of other programs

• Making Meaning is used in schools throughout a handful of states including California, Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, New York, and others.

• Adaptable Program Features• Class meetings help to build and

sustain the reading community.• Assessments help teachers make

informed decisions about instruction. In kindergarten and grade 1, informal assessments evaluate the needs of the whole class. In grades 2–8, more formal assessments are used.

• The program uses “best practices” in comprehension instruction for English Language Learners (ELL).

• Professional development can help teachers develop techniques that enhance their students’ ability to make sense of text.

• A support kit for school principals provides tools and support for effective leadership and program implementation.

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RESEARCH

• Classroom evaluations show that it works, and the program’s comprehension strategies align with state standards.

• http://www.collaborativeclassroom.org/research-making-meaning

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SAMPLE LESSON

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FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR SUCCESS STORIES

• http://www.collaborativeclassroom.org/success-stories/making-meaning

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REFERENCES

• http://www.collaborativeclassroom.org/making-meaning