A Little PDA Goes a Long Way:
Strategies for Content Literacy
by
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STRATEGY 9 ALPHABET OF KNOWLEDGE This strategy allows students to activate prior knowledge by coming up with words and phrases related to the topic. Students record these words under the appropriate letter on the ABC chart. Suggested Use: The teacher should give each student a handout with the topic in the center block. Students should be given time to come up with as many words or phrases as they can for each box, which is labeled with several letters of the alphabet. After allowing the students to work on the chart, the teacher and students should complete a classroom master copy. This activity can also be used as an opportunity to introduce new vocabulary words. Having the students write new words on their chart after learning about the topic could extend this activity. The sample that follows is for the topic mammals. Students would contribute any words or phrases that relate to this topic. Under “ABC” they may put a word like “cats,” and under “GHI,” “have fur.” Students should be encouraged to put at least one or two items in each column.
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About the Book
A reading comprehension system, known as PDA, can help educators increase the reading comprehension of students in all grade levels. Using this method, which combines over forty pre-reading, during reading, and after reading strategies, educators will see a vast improvement in the information that their students comprehend and retain. Appropriate for all content areas and all grade levels, this handbook is a must have for the classroom teacher.
About the Author
Dr. Pamela T. Bell is an Associate Professor of Teacher Education at Gordon State College in Barnesville, Georgia. Serving as a classroom instructor for twenty eight years and a content literacy specialist for the last eight years, Dr. Bell has created and implemented a reading comprehension system called PDA. She frequently travels across the United States making presentations at educational conferences and seminars. Dr. Bell lives in Barnesville, Georgia, with her husband Phillip and their English bulldog, Sugarplum. Their son Braxton attends college at the University of Georgia in Athens. Dr. Bell, just like her pet, is a Georgia dawg.