D. Robie Article Synthesis (Proposition 4 Example)

7/30/2019 D. Robie Article Synthesis (Proposition 4 Example)

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Running head: ARTICLE SYNTHESIS 1

Article Synthesis

Deneen Robie

University of New England

EDU 743

1/29/12


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D. Robie ARTICLE SYNTHESIS 3

fact that readers are constantly making corrections while reading to understand and be

active readers. These are the strategies described that help enhance comprehension.

The conversation piece of this article that Ketch writes about can be in many

forms such as whole class instruction, think/pair/share, small group discussions,

individual conferences, book clubs, literature circles and cross-age conversations. Ketch

writes that conversation is what gives students the practice to think. When we create

discussion amongst students about what they are reading and writing we then practice

more in depth comprehension. These oral conversations help students become thinkers

in the world around them. (2005)

The second article was, Using written conversation in middle school: Lesson

from a teacher researcher projectby William P. Bintz and Karen S. Shelton. The article

is about a research project that Ms. Shelton completed in her middle school language

art classes. The idea came from the fact that middle school age students communicate

with each other through note writing. Then research was compiled by William Bintz

concluding that students were practicing cognitive strategies while engaging in this

form of writing to a classmate.

The research was based on a conference that Karen Shelton attended promoting

text sets for use in reading and writing lessons. Teachers were to create and complete

a research project and then report out on their findings. Ms. Sheltons project started

with her reading aloud from a social studies connected text to her students. At

different points she stopped reading and had students converse by writing notes on one


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tablet back and forth about the text. She then had them reflect on the activity. The

research was compiled by Mr. Bintz and written into the article.

After the summary of how the research project was completed the results were

discussed. Mr. Bintz put together the data into categories of the reading processes.

The six categories were predicting, inferring, connecting, taking a position, questioning

and picking up on inconsistencies in the text. (Bintz & Shelton, 2005) These reading

processes were determined from students written conversation. The article speaks of

how reading and writing when taught together help students in their understanding and

deeper level of thinking.

The conversation piece is described well by Mr. Bintz saying, In this instance,

students recognized that written conversation was a social engagement, not an

individual activity and expressed a heightened awareness of their responsibility to each

other. (2004) Comments were made from the students saying they wanted to write

better and listen to the reading more so they would know what to write. The nature of

the activity created enthusiasm. The research connected to other research about

conversation and how it helps with comprehension.

These two articles clearly believe that reading and writing are important skills for

students to build upon in all content classes. There is a similar theme that one can take

from these articles. The idea is that conversation, whether it is oral or written, allow

students to practice cognitive strategies that enhance comprehension. Mike Schmoker

in his bookFOCUSconcentrates on literacy skills stating, Effective text-based reading

and discussion are, in turn, the perfect preparation for writing - which takes thinking to


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an even higher level. (2011) When students read, cognitive strategies like connecting,

inferring and questioning, help in understanding. Students need to practice these skills.

Both articles are promoting conversation for students to practice. The articles differ on

how students might communicate. While the Ketch article promotes oral conversation,

such as whole class discussions or think-pair-share, the Bintz & Shelton article uses a

note passing approach to engage students in a written dialogue.

As a middle school social studies teacher, both articles are very informative in

their similarities and in their differences. Students practicing oral conversation should

be part of every classroom. Ketch uses Regie Routman as a source, summarizing her

saying that, Conversation is our connection to comprehension. (2005) Oral

conversation takes many forms and each has its place. Another idea that promotes the

students listening and thinking is the note writing. This will be a great strategy to mix

in amongst the oral conversations. It is clear that cognitive strategies are necessary

and conversation is a great way to promote them.


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ARTICLE SYNTHESIS 6

References

Bintz, W. P., & Shelton, K. S. (2004). Using written conversation in middle school: Lessons from a teacher

researcher project. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 47(6), 492-507.

Ketch, A. (2005). Conversation: The comprehension connection. The Reading Teacher, 59(1), 8-13.

Schmoker, M. (2011). FOCUS. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.

D. Robie Article Synthesis (Proposition 4 Example)

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