Our Basic Tools

Some of the available lesson plans provide you with graphic organizers. These are useful tools for organizing learning activities that support the strategy being taught. Graphic organizers help students to show what they are thinking. They can be used to:

• record information
• organize information
• generate new ideas
• compare and contrast information

The following PDF, Learning Strategies for Aboriginal Students: Opportunities to make learning meaningful, is an excerpt from the document: Our Words, Our Ways - Alberta Education. This document is so succinctly put together and although the focus is Aboriginal learners it is beneficial and applicable for all learners.


• Learning Strategies for Aboriginal Students

For the complete document, Our Words, Our Ways - Teaching First Nations, Métis and Inuit Learners:


• Click Here (This is a large file; please be patient while it loads ...)

Guided Reading
In many cases Reading Comprehension strategies are being taught, on a daily basis, through a guided reading programme as well as the explicit comprehension lessons that we have been discussing. There are a number of tools available on our website to assist you with that process:

• Strong Reader Tools Posters

I have been using these self developed tools for 5 years now with much success with all learners and at all ages, 4 - 55 years old. Although the focus is on reading it is really a framework for learning and more importantly, a framework that supports learners recognizing and demonstrating to themselves that they have the capability to learn, which in turn is engaging and promotes self volition.

As a gift to get you started on your journey I have provided you with a printable copy of my Literacy Lesson Plan:


• Literacy Lesson Plan

Along with this is a copy of the strategy, How About a Try:


• How About a Try (Primary)
• How About a Try (Intermediate)