Text connections as a tool to inspire writing

kelly.maggard@clark.kyschools.us

Kelly Maggard

Clark Middle School

8th grade Language Arts

Hot Topics in LiteracySeptember 19, 2009

Why do we make text connections?

• “…readers make connections to synthesize new learning and assimilate it into their knowledge banks.”

(Rog, )• “…[readers] comprehend better when they think

about the connections they make between the text, their lives, and the larger world.”

(Harvey & Goudvis, 2000)

Best Practices

• Authentic – applying the text to genuine issues in students’ lives

• Reflective – students reflect on own lives in order to compare to text

How do text connections help writing?

• “Often these [connections] give students ideas for longer written responses. Personal narrative pieces emerge from text-to-self connections the kids have made in their reading.”

(Harvey & Goudvis, 2000)• Poetry, short stories, and scripts can all be products of text

connections

• Kentucky On-Demand writing in Language Arts often requires students to make a text connection prior to writing

Sample On-Demand prompts

Sample Writing Task- Grade 5

Situation:Grandparents and other important adults in our lives often teach us new skills for which we are very thankful. However, in today’s busy world, we don’t take the time to write a thank you letter to those adults who have helped us learn something new, even though we know they would really appreciate receiving our written thanks.

Writing Task:Write a letter to a grandparent or other adult telling about a time when that person taught you something new. Explain that you have just read A Visit With Grandpa and that, like Justin in the story, you are thankful for this person helping you learn new skills.

Sample On-Demand promptsSample Writing Task- Grade 8

Situation:Read the following quotation:“In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.”—Anne FrankWriting Task:Write a speech to present to your peers informing them of the qualities exhibited bypeople who are “good at heart.” Support your response with details or examples.

Sample Writing Task- Grade 12

Writing Task:According to the passage, some people believe “it is the music companies that must adapt, not theusers.” Take a position on this issue. Write a speech or a letter to persuade appropriate members ofthe music industry to support your position.

Three types of text connections

• Text-to-text

• Text-to-self

• Text-to-world

(Zimmerman & Keane, 1997)

Text-to-text

• What book, magazine, or movie does this remind you of?

• How are these characters similar to other characters?

• How does this author remind you of another author?

Text-to-self

• What events in your life does this remind you of?

• Who do the characters remind you of?

• What do the characters’ emotions remind you of?

• Which character do you have something in common with?

Text-to-world

• What does this remind you of in the real world?

• Have you read an article or seen a story on the news that was similar to this text?

• How are the events similar to events that occur in the world?

Connections chart

• A simple way to encourage students to make text connections

• Teach chart at the beginning of the year, that way it can be replicated with many different texts.

• Charts can be kept in journals and used as prewriting

Connections Chart

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Teacher Modeling with Harris and Me

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This reminds me of my first day at a new school. I was very nervous to meet everyone, and not quite sure how to act. “Me” was nervous when he was meeting his new family for the first time.

This reminds me of “Twilight.” When Bella met Edward, he took her by surprise. He was like no one she had ever met, and not what she expected. I felt that in Harris and Me, “Me” was surprised by Harris and how blunt he was. Harris was unexpected, also.

Foster children are often shuffled from home to home. They have a hard time adjusting to their new lives.

Small group connections with “Harris and Me”

1. Use post it to write one connection you can make with the text

– Meeting new people– Putting on an act for people– People that have surprised you

2. You may choose which kind of connection

3. Bring post-it up front and put on board

4. Sharing

“Homeward Bound” by Simon and Garfunkel

1. Listen to the song, read lyrics

2. Whole group- discuss meaning of song and some lines or phrases that stood out

3. Complete connections chart individually or as a group

4. Whole group sharing

Article: “Bullying widespread in US schools”

1. Read passage

2. Discuss in small groups what emotions or phrases might stand out

3. Complete connections chart

4. Whole group sharing

How can this connections chart lead into other writing?

1. Brainstorm in small groups

2. Share with whole group

How can this connections chart lead into other writing?

Personal narrative

Poem

Book review

Character development for short story

Article

On Demand

Letter

Persuasive writing

Poem

Article for

school paper

Book Review

Short Story

Digital book trailer

Journal entry from a

character’s perspective

Personal Narrative

New chapter of

book

Persuasive letter

calling for change

Writing prompt (10 min)

• Choose ONE of the following types of writing:

• Diary entry from a character’s perspective

• Personal Narrative

• Persuasive letter to friend

• Use any of the connections that you made today as your inspiration for your writing!

Works Cited

(2001, Apr. 24). Bullying Widespread in U.S. Schools. National Institute of Health Retrieved Jun. 8, 2009, from http://www.nichd.nih.gov/news/releases/bullying.cfm.

(2007). In KDE Released Items. Retrieved Jun. 8, 2009, from http://www.kde.state.ky.us/KDE/Instructional+Resources/Curriculum+Documents+and+Resources/Released+Test+Items/

   Harvey, S, & A. Goudvis. (2007). Strategies That Work: Teaching Comprehension for Understanding and Engagement. Portland, Stenhouse Publishers.

  Keene, E, & S. Zimmermann. (2007). Mosaic of Thought, Second Edition: The Power of Comprehension Strategy Instruction. Portsmouth, Heinemann.

  Paulsen, G. (2007). Harris and Me. Harcourt Paperbacks.

  Rog, L. (2003). Guided Reading Basics. Portland, Stenhouse Publishers.

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