“Beanie Baby Decoding and Comprehension Strategies”

Disclaimer:  These strategies are not the original ideas of any member of our group.  These strategies can be found at:  <http://www.realclassroomideas.com/194.html> and have been changed and adapted countless times on many sharing sites.  The referenced graphics have been provided to us by Program Specialists at the English School District.  All embedded images can be located on Google Images.

“Encourage aesthetic reading… encourage students to read stories aesthetically for the lived-through experience of reading,”

(Language Arts: Content and Teaching Strategies,

Tompkins, Bright, Pollard, and Winsor, 2008).

Why use Beanie Baby Strategies?

These strategies can be used in all settings – both in the classroom and in the resource room.  They are about opening a dialogue with students while taking the mystery out of practical decoding/comprehension strategies – making them concrete.

How do these Strategies look in the classroom?

The toys can be purchased or coloured images can be displayed.  They often become talking points for whole class instruction or individualized guided reading.  Posters can be displayed in a reading center, or bookmarks can be displayed on student’s desks.  Teachers can begin to ask questions like, “what would spinner the spider say…?” as a prompt strategy development.  Some strategies can be abstract – for example making inferences.  But a Beanie Baby (mascot) can open that door for students.  Starting a dialogue and helping students get grounded in a good reading practice is a right step in helping all students develop decoding and comprehension skills.

Cited:  http://www.realclassroomideas.com/resources/_wsb_335x251_Bulletin+Boards-Decoding+Strategies.JPG