The Text Talk stragegy is designed to use with read alouds. The two main goals of text talk are to enhance vocabulary development and increase comprehension. Comprehension is increased by interspersing open questions during the read aloud to engage students in thinking about the idea in the story, talking about them, and making connections as the story is read.

To use this strategy, first select a picture book with a well-told story and an abundance of rich language. Chose approximately three Tier Two (Beck) words to introduce and teach explicitly. Read and discuss the story with the students. If the meaning of the targeted words are needed during the story in order to comprehend the story, stop while reading and share a brief, kid-friendly definition of the word.

Text Talk lesson design for K-2

Title and author _____________________________________________________________________________________

Target words _________________________ ________________________________ ________________________

Step 1: Read and discuss the story with your students.

Step 2: Introduce targeted words one at a time.

Ask students to repeat the word.

Provide a student friendly definition.

Step 3: Create instructional contexts.

Share example of the work in contexts taht are different from the contest in the story.

Step 4: Engage students in thinking about and using the meaning of the word. (May choose to have kids

act out the meanings of the words.)

Step 5: Engage students in meaningful use and application of the words