Analysis of Reading-Related Article from EBSCOhost

Thinking and Talking About Books: Using Prompts to Stimulate Discussion

Four first-grade teachers used discussion prompts to encourage thinking about and responding to text in different ways. This article describes how the teachers introduced the prompts and provides examples of how the prompts were integrated into classroom activities. Teachers found that using the prompts was an effective way to initiate and scaffold authentic conversation about books for all their students. This included children who were English Language Learners as well as those with special needs. The systematic teaching and use of the prompts provided a framework for thinking about books, both before and after reading. As a result, the young students began to understand that reading related to meaning and the text was something they could think and talk about. Students enthusiastically discussed their ideas and listened to others. This exchange of ideas was not only motivating, but eventually encouraged more original responses and reflections.

Analysis
- the process of breaking a complex topic or substance into smaller parts to gain a better understanding of it. The technique has been applied in the study of mathematics and logic since before Aristotle (384–322 B.C.), though analysis as a formal concept is a relatively recent development.

My Analysis:

Teachers found that using the prompts was an effective way to initiate and scaffold authentic conversation about books for all their students. This included children who were English Language Learners as well as those with special needs.As a result, the young students began to understand that reading related to meaning and the text was something they could think and talk about. Students enthusiastically discussed their ideas and listened to others.