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The Key Comprehension Routine
by Joan Sedita, ©2003, 1st edition, 2010 2nd edition
This book is the updated second edition of the The Key Three Routine: Comprehension Strategies. The Key Comprehension Routine is a flexible program that can be used to teach and practice comprehension strategies for grades 4 through 12. The routine includes the following skills and strategies: main idea skills, use of text structure, top-down topic webs, two-column notes, summarizing, and question generation using Bloom's Taxonomy. These skills are combined into a series of four activities that can be used with all content reading material and classroom lessons.
In this book you will find:
- An overview of reading comprehension strategies, including factors that can affect comprehension.
- A description of The Key Comprehension Routine with suggestions for how it can be implemented both in the classroom and as a school-wide program.
- Hands-on suggestions for how to teach the skills in the routine embedded in content instruction.
The book includes numerous examples and practice exercises, including opportunities to develop activities from reading material used in the teacher's own classroom. There are also reproducible templates. Soft cover, 218 pages. USD $35. Shipping & Handling: $6.00 for 1st item; $1.50 for each additional item. Please allow two weeks for delivery.
The Key Vocabulary Routine
by Joan Sedita, ©2009
The Key Vocabulary Routine is a content vocabulary program for grades 4 through 12 that can be used in all classrooms. The program emphasizes the integration of vocabulary instruction in any content area (e.g., science, social studies, English language arts, math).
Research has found that that there is no one best method for vocabulary instruction, and that vocabulary should be taught both directly and indirectly. It has also found that the least effective instructional practice is the memorization of word definitions.
The Key Vocabulary Routine emphasizes growth of vocabulary through wide reading, multiple exposures to words and linking new words to background knowledge. The teacher training includes hands-on practice for the following:
- Providing direct, systematic instruction of specific content vocabulary and how to select the most appropriate new words from content reading material
- Teaching a word in relation to other words using activities such as categorizing, semantic feature analysis, and semantic mapping
- Analyzing word structure and teaching word parts, including the most common roots, suffixes and prefixes
- Teaching strategies for using context to determine word meaning
- Teaching strategies for effective use of a dictionary and creating student generated definitions
The Key Vocabulary Routine includes numerous examples and practice exercises, including opportunities to develop activities from reading material used in the teacher's own classroom. There are also reproducible templates. Soft cover, 152 pages. USD $35. Shipping & Handling: $6.00 for 1st item; $1.50 for each additional item. Please allow two weeks for delivery.
The ANSWER Key to Open Response
by Joan Sedita, ©2011
The ANSWER Key to Open Response is a routine for students to use in answering reading comprehension open response questions, also sometimes referred to as constructed response questions. These types of questions are often found on high-stakes assessments, but they can also be used to support the comprehension and mastery of information from various content reading material. In order to effectively answer an open response question, a student must carefully read a sample of text and respond in writing to a given question using specific, relevant evidence from the text. In order for the response to truly reflect a student's comprehension, the student must apply three sets of skills: reading comprehension, organization of information, and writing. The ANSWER Key to Open Response teaches students specific steps to follow in applying these three sets of skills.
The ANSWER Key to Open Response provides:
- An explanation of the purpose and design of an open response question
- A review of the challenges students face when answering open response questions
- Definitions of key scoring terms such as thorough, accurate, text evidence, relevant and specific information
- A detailed presentation of how to teach the steps in the routine:
A: Analyze the Question
N: Note plan
S: Skim, read and select
W: Write the Response
ER: End by Reviewing
- How to provide effective feedback to students specifically regarding open response questions, including a Feedback Checklist
- Suggestions for practical application of the routine beyond use for high-stakes tests
- Practice sample open response questions
The ANSWER Key to Open Response includes numerous examples and practice exercises, including opportunities to develop activities from reading material used in the teacher's own classroom. Soft cover, 72 pages. USD $18. Shipping & Handling: $6.00 for 1st item; $1.50 for each additional item. Please allow two weeks for delivery.
Professional Development Online Courses
Keys to Literacy offers professional development online courses for The Key Comprehension Routine (Grades 4-12), The Key Comprehension Routine: Primary Grades and The Key Vocabulary Routine. Educators who would like to acquire the initial training for these programs but cannot attend live training may access it online.
Learn more about our online courses and try a demo of each course.
Download the online course registration form
Poster:
Question Terms
Item #:(P-QT)
Dimensions: 22"x 25.5" — Standard size for laminating machine
This is based on Bloom's Taxonomy, and it provides question terms at a variety
of levels of comprehension. It is an excellent tool for teaching vocabulary and
improving understanding of classroom content. Sold individually ($5.00).
Poster:
Transition Words
Item #: (P-TW)
Dimensions: 22" x 25.5" — Standard size for laminating machine
This is an easy guide to commonly used transition words. It is designed to help
all students learn how to connect sentences and relate ideas to one another,
especially when they are writing summaries. Sold individually ($5.00).
Poster:
How to Write a Summary
(P-WS)
Dimensions: 22" x 25.5" — Standard size for laminating machine
This provides a clear, step-by-step guide to writing a summary. It is a useful
reminder to help students as they write an overview of the most important information
from classroom content and materials. Sold individually ($5.00).
Poster:
Summary Template
Item #: (P-ST)
Dimensions: 22" x 25.5" — Standard size for laminating machine
This template helps students plan before they write a summary. It guides them
through listing main ideas, writing an introductory sentence, and turning main
ideas into sentences. Sold individually ($5.00).
Poster:
Sample pack of all 4 posters
Item #: (P-4P)
Dimensions: 22" x 25.5" — Standard size for laminating machine.
($18.00).
Keys to Literacy Student Guides
Student Guide:
Question Terms
Item #:(SG-QT)
Dimensions: 8.5" x 11"
This laminated page has three punched holes in the side so students can have a
handy reference to question terms. Sold in packs of 10 ($15.00).
Student Guide:
Transition Words
Item #: (SG-TW)
Dimensions: 8.5" x 11"
This handy list of transition terms comes in an laminated page with three punched holes in the side. Sold in packs of 10 ($15.00).
Student Guide:
Summary Template
Item #: (SG-ST)
Dimensions: 8.5" x 11"
This template guides students through writing a summary, and it is laminated with holes for easy filing in a notebook. Sold in packs of 10 ($15.00).
Student Guide: Sample pack of all 3 guides
Item #: (SG-3P)
Dimensions: 8.5" x 11"
Sample pack of all 3 guides ($5.00).
Keys to Literacy Implementation Portfolios
Implementation Portfolio:
Key Comprehension Routine
Item #:(IP-KY)
Dimensions: 9.75" x 11.5" Fits into a standard file drawer
This portfolio provides an Activity Log to easily record Key Comprehension activities as you implement them in the
classroom and serves as a handy place to keep samples of Key Comprehension activities for quick reference and
follow-up meetings. Sold in packs of 20.
Implementation Portfolio:
Key Vocabulary Routine
Item #:(IP-VO)
Dimensions: 9.75" x 11.5" Fits into a standard file drawer
This portfolio provides an Activity Log to easily record Key Vocabulary activities as you implement them in the classroom and serves
as a handy place to keep samples of Key Vocabulary activities for quick reference and follow-up meetings. Sold in packs of 20.