Activating Strategy

1. Activating Strategy Word Splash Mary A. SteltzKnox Middle – Rowan/Salisbury School SystemNCTA – Summer AcademyWestern Carolina UniversityJune 2008 Introduction Steps ExampleTestimonialsLinks

2. Introduction Prior to reading, a word splash is a quick way to display a collection of key terms, phrases, or ideas that are related to the main concept of a reading passage. The terms selected represent important information that the teacher wants to cover during the lesson.

3. Step One • Select a passage which students will be reading (chapter from textbook, magazine, etc.)

4. Step Two • From the passage, select key terms or concepts important to understanding the lesson.

5. Step Three • Using the board or overhead, write the main idea from the reading passage. Surround this main idea with selected key terms, phrases or ideas selected from the reading passage.

6. Step Four • Students will make predictive statements about how each of the terms relates to the main idea of the reading. Students will brainstorm and generate complete sentences predicting the relationship between the main idea and the terms.

7. Step Five • Once students finish generating sentences, they will read the selection and check the accuracy of their predictive sentences.

8. Step Six • Students revise predictions based on the reading passage.

9. Example 55 years 39 Equator underprepared weary water Nimumaroro passenger Kansas George Putnam 1897 23 Social worker attractive cage Amelia Earhart’s Intriguing Life

10. Testimonials:How This Strategy Enhances Literacy • Testimonials from Teachers • Word Splash is a great activating strategy, because it allows students to predict the meaning of words and how each of the terms may relate to the title or main focus of the reading passage. This strategy builds vocabulary and reading comprehension. • Ms. Carlotta Chambers, Knox Middle School

11. Internet Links • Nancy Polette • Word Splash! Homepage • EduScape • KidsReads