Reading is FAME - Explorations
by Debbie Dumler
December 28, 2007
The goal in the Explorations class is to teach students to integrate information from a text, in both reading and writing. Directed activities using study skills in the context of content materials are used. Application of these skills occur when students answer questions from an Explorations Board. Questions are based on short-answer and essay formats, and require that students use reference materials and study skills to answer them.
A computer program (Carmen Sandiego) is used to teach and reinforce problem-solving skills in reading and writing.
Each week, students are evaluated on:
1) their ability to use their written language skills to define, describe, explain, summarize, compare information, analyze a problem and defend a position (via responses to questions from the Explorations Board.
2) their ability to use reference materials and organize information to solve problems (via the number of Carmen Sandiego cases solved)
3) their ability to take notes and to summarize the information they have read (via worksheets and notebooks)
Rules for Question Completion from the Explorations Board
1) You must complete at least one question from each of the columns on the board per unit (2 weeks period)
2) You must try questions in the following rows on the board to make up a possible 150 points per unit (two week period)
2 from the 5 point row = 10 points
3 from the 10 point row = 30 points
2 from the 15 point row = 30 points
1 from the 30 point row = 30 points
1 from the 50 point row = 50 points
Grand total 150 points
3) With teacher's approval, you have two tries to complete each question. The teacher has final say over number of points awarded for each question, regardless of question's original point value.
Question Criteria by Point Value
5 point questions:
A 5 point question requires you to do one of the following:
1) Define a term or
2) Locate something or
3) Identify a person
To earn the 5 points, you must:
1) use one or more sources of information
2) Write out your answer using complete sentences(s)
3) Clearly designate points on a blank map, if necessary
4) Revise and make corrections requested by your teacher
10 point questions:
A 10 point questions require you to:
1) Describe something or
2) Briefly explain something
To earn the 10 points, you must:
1) Use one or more sources of information
2) Take notes from your sources
3) Write out your answer using complete sentences
4) Revise and make corrections requested by your teacher
15 point questions:
A 15 point question requires you to:
1) Summarize information
To earn the 15 points, you must:
1) Use two or more sources of information
2) Take notes from your sources
3) Summarize the information using complete sentences and paragraph form
4) Revise and make corrections requested by your teacher
30 point questions:
A 30 point question requires you to:
1) Compare and Contrast information
To earn the 30 points, you must:
1) Use two or more sources of information
2) Take notes from your sources
3) Write at least two complete paragraphs summarizing and comparing the information
4) Revise and make corrections requested by your teacher
50 point questions:
Each 50 point question will require you to:
1) Analyze a problem or
2) Defend your position
To earn the 50 points, you must:
1) Use three or more sources of information
2) Take notes from your sources
3) Write at least 4 complete paragraphs - be sure to analyze or describe in detail the problem; or state your position on the issue, and then defend your position
4) Revise and make corrections requested by your teacher
