Final answer:
To support informal progress monitoring, teachers should integrate formative assessments, encourage low-stakes reading practice, use preliminary writing exercises, conduct peer reviews, and engage in regular student observations.
Step-by-step explanation:
To support the effort of implementing informal progress monitoring during instruction, as evaluated by the district reading team, teachers should consider various strategies. These methods will aid in not only the assessment of student progress but also improve reading skills and comprehension in an informal setting.
Strategy 1: Use of Formative Assessments
Teachers should integrate formative assessments into their instruction. These can include grasp checks, where students review their comprehension of reading through informal analysis. Additionally, practice problems can challenge students to apply what they've learned, supporting the transition to more formal tasks.
Strategy 2: Low-stakes Reading Practice
Allowing students to practice close-reading in a casual, low-pressure environment helps to make them more comfortable with the analysis of texts. This strategy enables students to practice close-reading while reducing the anxiety of high stakes evaluations.
Strategy 3: Preliminary Writing Exercises
By encouraging students to record their initial impressions of texts, teachers can better prepare them for formal writing assignments. These early exercises help students in preparing for writing a more formal essay and deepen their understanding of the text.
Feedback and Peer Review
Another method to foster informal monitoring is through peer reviews, where students provide evidence-based feedback to one another. This collaborative approach helps students reflect on their reading and understand different perspectives.
Ongoing Observations
Teachers should engage with students on a regular basis, ensuring that each child has direct communication. These interactions can build a foundation for anecdotal observations, informing the teacher of each student's progress.