Adolescent Literacy
Instruction
Reading Strategies
Strategy: Save the Last Word for Me
Short, K. G., Harste, J., & Burke, C. (1996). Creating classrooms for authors and inquirers (2nd ed.). Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
Web site: http://www.allamericareads.org/lessonplan/strategies/during/lastword.htm
Procedure:
- Students are given 3x5 note cards. It is explained that after reading an assigned passage, they are to find three to five quotations from the text that they really like.
- Students then read the material and write one quotation on one side of each card. On the other side, they tell why they like it.
- Students then share their quotations, one at a time.
- Fellow classmates are encouraged to comment on each quotation.
- Finally, the writers share their own comments from the other side of the cards.
- If the class size is large, this activity can be done in small groups.
Example:
The Web site noted above contains an example of Save The Last Word For Me using Wish You Well by David Baldacci.