Teaching Strategies
Augusta Mann uses teaching strategies based on the Touching the Spirit model for teaching students who are significantly behind. Below are brief descriptions of strategies with links to detailed outlines of how to implement them—click on the 'in detail' at the end of each description. They include strategies from the Guidebook for Phonics and Vocabulary Building, Module #1, A Videotaped Workshop by Augusta Mann.
Dancing Definitions
Dancing Definitions is a powerful pre-reading strategy that can be used with students, pre-school-adult. Teachers report success using Dancing Definitions as it: intensifies teaching to accelerate students’ mastery of the meanings of hundreds of words and concepts in a short period of time; includes inquiry, discussion, recitation, memorization, and making connections to students’ lives; incorporates urban students’ cultural principles; is fun and highly successful with all students, especially those who are behind; provides many opportunities for students to practice speaking Standard English in the style of textbook language.
Dancing Definitions in detail.
He Said/She Said Recitation
Students learn and memorize a significant number of words that can be substituted for the word ”said” at the beginning or end of a quotation. They must then use these words in their writing and speech.
He Said/She Said in detail.
Language Development Recitation
The purpose of Language Development Recitation (LDR) is to give young students, starting in preschool, practice using clear and concise language when defining familiar words. During a single school year, students memorize a minimum of 100 definitions of words that are common in their daily language. In addition to helping students develop the language and vocabulary skills that positively affect their writing, LDR develops their public speaking skills so students can speak with confidence before a group.
Language Development Recitation in detail.
Synonym Triplets
Students recite and memorize sets of synonyms and are required to use them in their writing and speech. The meanings of the synonyms are learned and discussed before they are recited and committed to memory.
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