Text Talk Lessons

Were you just fretting, 

"I need to plan a new text talk!"

Well, fret no more!

We have a great resource in the coach's room for text talks!   

We have purchased Scholastic's Text Talk Kits.  

We have three kits.  

• Kit A for Kindergarten and First Grade 
• Kit B for First and Second Grade 
• Kit C for Second and Third Grade. 

Each kit contains 20 trade books each with a text talk lesson!  That is over 60 text talk lessons!
Each text talk lesson plan begins with a teacher-led read aloud using a high-quality trade book. The stopping points and text talk questions are ready for you and on post-it notes already in the book! 

The post it notes include stopping points and questions to pose to the students.

The text talk notes include:

• Open Ended Questions - These prompt students to move beyond one word- responses and actively use word in dialogue.
• Follow Up Questions - These questions scaffold students' thinking by encouraging them to elaborate and develop their initial ideas
• Word Explanations - This allows the teacher to give immediate explanations of challenging words.

An example pre-made post it note!

Additionally, each text talk lesson plan focuses on six specific vocabulary words (120 words per level) that stretch students' minds to build overall facility with words.

Each lesson plan includes:

• Child-Friendly Definitions - These definitions were developed to ensure that meanings are both child-friendly and clear.
• Direct Vocabulary Instruction - Combines word definitions with rich instruction that requires children to engage in active talk about word meanings.
• Repetition of Words - Repetition of words deepens students' knowledge so that each new word "sticks."  Remember, students need to encounter a word many, many times before they own it!
• Words in Varied Contexts - Ensure that children experience vocabulary words in the context of the story and beyond.

So come down and peruse this new resource, choose a book and plan a date for your text talk!  If you want a tutorial or have questions, please feel free to let Emily or Janet know!