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Sunday, October 28, 2012

GLAD to see a Common Core Strategy Return

How many of you are familiar with GLAD strategies?  GLAD stands for Guided Language Acquisition Design in case you have never heard of this. These are being used again in our district as part of of our lesson designs when building Common Core units. Why is this such a big deal. It works!
Teachers often put these pictorials on large sheets of white butcher paper and use a projector to lightly trace the image with a pencil. This is then put up in the classroom and created in front of the students using markers while you are talking about what is being created. This might be the only time my students are quiet. This process fascinates them. Now to make this more dramatic I use scrapbooking chalk to add the color quickly and easily but I am asking them for their input..."Hummm I need to make this an ocean  so what color should I use?"  The first day might just be the map but as I teach them about the journey the Pilgrims took on the Mayflower I am adding labels. This can be done right on the paper but I have mine color coded and on velcro so it can be more interactive. Notice that the Mayflower is on a separate stick that the children can move across the ocean to show the path they took.  I have have students come up and add pieces as they become more familiar with the story. Make them think. When the Pilgrims got to America what do you thing they made their houses out of? There were lots of trees in the forest. Who wants to put some of these on my pictorial? Where did they find food? Do careful questioning based on the story you have read and you are using a non fiction piece of text to build their understanding and they are putting evidence on this picture to support their comprehension. Our curriculum specialist came up with this idea and I loved it! The labels help to build academic vocabulary. Clap out the syllables and pay attention to beginning sounds. Students can add their own pictures to this unit as you move forward and it stays up while you are teaching about an important American holiday. What do you think about this?

13 comments:

Unknown said...

That is REALLY cool! Can you come to my class in Florida??
~Andi

Fran Kramer said...

I wish I could. We would have a blast doing this together. I am doing this with kinder teachers in my district and I cannot wait to watch the reaction of the kids!

Samantha said...

I love this idea! I really like how you've presented the retelling portion. I am going to try this in my class. Thanks!
Samantha
Ms.Smarty Pants

billi said...

I've got to try this. I can only hope it works as well as your's sounds. thanx

Unknown said...

I have used a method like this for Thanksgiving with my pre-K kids....I really love the detail you have in yours and will ramp things up for my Kindergarteners this year! I have also taken simplified pictures i used and had the kids make a book to retell the story to their families!

Lauren Morse said...

I'm a visual learner. I'd love to see a video of you actually teaching this lesson. It sounds so neat. I think my class of first graders would love it.
Lauren

Anonymous said...

You have that perfect "GLAD" strategy on your students, I love the Pictorials so much...How I wish I could do one for my children...Just really adore what you have here....

KinderLearningBunnies said...

Thank you for reminding me of GLAD strategies. I used them in the past but have been lost in all of the mantated non learning/teaching that I forgot how wonderful this is and it WORKS.

nmangels said...

This is fabulous!! I haven't heard of GLAD strategies, but use lots of pictures to reinforce learning for my ELL students. This however, goes beyond what I do!! Where did you get the pictures for your learning picture? Thank you so much for sharing this!! I can't wait to use this in my room!!

Anonymous said...

I can't wait to use this! Then I think I will send them home with the little beaded bracelet for retelling that you have used in the past. As we review the story we can add a bead to a pipe cleaner. I hope that the students will be able to retell the story when we are finished discussing!!

I love your ideas Fran!
Terri Izatt
KinderKapers

Fran Kramer said...

Lots of people have asked me for the bracelet and emergent reader so I will put that together as soon as I can. The pictorial is a really valid way of reinforcing all of this and it will keep the kids engaged! The chalk makes it so beautiful and does not smear.

Holly said...

Thank you for sharing this! This is a very good strategy! I can see its endless possibilities, teaching vocabulary, content, story elements, nonfiction text features...THANKS!

Anonymous said...

Fran,
I have to tell you how much I love this idea. My class is almost completely composed of ELLs and I really want to try it!

And I am so sorry to hear about the idea thief. Talk about greed!

Mary C.