Reading requires us to apply various strategies all at the same time. As a result, it is easy for teachers to lose sight of the main focus of our reading minilessons. During read-alouds, we are tempted to point out all the different skills we are applying. This can be overwhelming to students and not as effective as it could be. But if we focus on one strategy at a time, we can help ensure that our students take away a specific strategy they can apply to any text. Creating a Strategy Spotlight to highlight reading strategies posters can lead to more targeted and effective instruction!
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Reading Strategies Spotlight
To help my instruction be more focused and purposeful, I created a “Strategy Spotlight.” This is a space beside my SmartBoard entirely dedicated to our current reading strategy.
I display reading strategies posters and anchor charts as a constant reminder of what we are currently practicing. (Find out the purposes of anchor charts and posters). I refer to the Strategy Spotlight at various times throughout the literacy block. During minilessons as I’m introducing the strategy, small group instruction for guided practice using the strategy, or as students read independently to implement the strategy themselves. Always having the strategy displayed helps my instruction remain targeted.
Setting Up the Strategy Spotlight
I started by making a title for our spotlight area. You can use a cutting machine like a Cricut or Silhouette Cameo to cut out your letters. Instead, I just used Powerpoint and typed each letter in a large, chunky font. If you choose no fill for the letter and make a thick outline, you can print it on colored cardstock. Saves your color ink!!
In order to make our reading strategies posters more prominent, I added 2 spotlights to the wall. I found these great wall sconces on Amazon that work perfectly! They have super adhesive backings that stuck to our cinderblock walls (which it’s hard to get much to stick to them!) They also came with a remote and the ability to change the colors of the lights. They’ve been a huge hit with my students!
How to Use the Strategy Spotlight
You can use the Strategy Spotlight in various ways to reinforce the strategy you’re focusing on. This helps students begin independently using the strategy with any text.
- Explicitly teach the reading strategy
- Refer to the poster during reading minilessons
- Guided practice of the strategy during small group instruction
- A visual reminder of the strategy for students during independent and partner work
- Exit ticket to explain the strategy at the end of class
Reading Strategies Posters
A simple Google search for reading strategies posters will give you hundreds of results! You can display these on your board with poster paper on top to trace the posters. Some textbook companies such as Benchmark Literacy or HMH Into Reading provide reading posters to supplement their lessons.
These are the Reading Strategies Posters that I use. I created them to teach my students the strategies in simple, kid-friendly language. You can save yourself time from having to create your own since I’ve already done the work for you!
Monitoring Comprehension is the strategy I like to start with as it is a foundation for the other skills. Complete the form below to get your FREE Monitoring Comprehension Reading Poster and get your Strategy Spotlight started!
Do you have other ways to display your Reading Strategies Posters? Please share your ideas in the comments below so we can continue learning from one another!
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