Curating Texts
Stoking Students’ Interests & Inspiring New Learning
When we inch closer to students and pay attention to what they choose to read based on their interests, we are better equipped to curate texts that are going to get kids jazzed up about reading – both for the purposes of English Language Arts and across the content areas. Curating texts with students’ curiosities, passions, habits, and needs in mind gives us a ‘leg up’ in putting resources in their hands, potentially increasing reading volume and a deeper understanding of content. In addition, when we give students the autonomy to curate texts for themselves and their peers, motivation and engagement goes through the roof!
This workshop gives participants an opportunity to use what they know about students and curate texts that will inspire new learning while also addressing instructional plans. Participants will name their beliefs about curation and then explore 7 steps for curating texts which include:
Kidwatch – learn about students’ reading interests
Curate & Select – texts that fits students’ wants and needs
Decide – how you are going to use the texts you choose
Spark – students’ interests by sharing the texts and your reasons for choosing them
Read & Construct Meaning – teachers and students
Invite – students to curate for themselves and others
Reflect – so that you can determine if you need to curate more texts and/or meet with students
Participants will also explore systems, structures, rituals and routines for collecting, storing, and using the texts that have been curated for the whole class, small groups and individual students.