Literacy and Special Education — Key Concepts and Strategies (Video Notes)

Flashcards covering key concepts, terms, and strategies from the Literacy and Special Education video notes.

What communication disorders may impact literacy instruction?

Speech disorders, language disorders, hearing disorders (deaf or hard of hearing), and Central Auditory Processing Disorders.

Name foundational literacy skills.

Print concepts, phonological awareness, phonics/word recognition, and fluency.

What are the five overarching literacy skills?

Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing, and Thinking.

List the five reader stages in foundational literacy.

Emergent Reader; Beginning Reader; Decoding Reader; Proficient Reader; Expert Reader.

What is print concept?

Understanding that print carries meaning and how books work (e.g., reading direction, basic book handling).

What is phonological awareness?

Awareness of sounds in language, including syllables, rhymes, and phonemes.

What is phonics/word recognition?

Knowledge of letter-sound relationships and the ability to decode words.

What is fluency in reading?

Reading with accuracy, speed, and expression to support comprehension.

Describe Emergent Readers.

Children developing pre-reading skills who recognize print and letters and begin to understand that print has meaning.

Describe Beginning Readers.

Novices who connect letters/words to sounds and begin basic decoding.

Describe Decoding Readers.

Readers who recognize about 3,000 sight words, are semi-fluent, and use basic comprehension.

Describe Proficient Readers.

Readers who read with fluency and comprehension.

Describe Expert Readers.

Readers who fluently read across disciplines with strong comprehension, often better when reading than listening.

What is a Tripod Grip?

A pencil grip where the thumb and index finger form a tripod with the middle finger, pencil rests in the hand, and pinky/ring finger tuck away.

Print writing vs. cursive writing?

Print has letters formed separately and is easier for beginners; cursive connects letters and can improve fluency but is harder for beginners.

What are the Conventions of Standard English?

Knowledge of grammar, word usage, and mechanics (spelling, punctuation, capitalization).

What are the Parts of Speech?

Nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, conjunctions, prepositions, and interjections.

What is Subject-Verb Agreement?

The verb must agree with the subject in number (singular or plural).

What is a sentence fragment?

An incomplete sentence lacking a complete thought or end punctuation; fix by adding missing pieces or connecting to a full sentence.

What is a Simple Sentence?

A sentence with a subject and a verb; can be declarative, interrogative, exclamatory, or imperative.

What is a Compound Sentence?

Two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction.

What is a Complex Sentence?

An independent clause with one or more dependent clauses, often using a subordinator.

What is a Compound-Complex Sentence?

Two independent clauses with at least one dependent clause.

What is a Run-On Sentence?

Independent clauses joined improperly; fix with a comma+conjunction, a semicolon, or by making two sentences.

What is a Central/Main Idea?

The author’s primary point; not usually a single word and supported by details; inferred from title, imagery, dialogue, etc.

What are Text Structures in informational texts?

Description, Order/Sequence, Cause/Effect, Compare/Contrast, Problem/Solution.

What are Text Features?

Headings, subheadings, pictures, captions, graphs/diagrams, bold/italic words, glossary, index, pronunciation guides, introductions, sidebars.

Name some common Literary Devices (examples).

Alliteration, Hyperbole, Simile, Metaphor, Personification, Onomatopoeia, Irony, Idiom, Imagery.

What is Imagery?

Descriptive language that engages the senses.

Connotation vs Denotation?

Denotation is the dictionary meaning; connotation is the emotional associations a word carries.

What are Context Clues strategies?

Definition, Example, Synonyms & Antonyms, figurative language, morphology, and sentence clues.

What is a Figurative Language device?

Figurative language includes idioms, metaphors, similes, personification, hyperbole, etc.

What is an Allusion?

A reference to a previous work, person, or event.

What is Central/Main Idea & Supporting Details diagram?

Main idea with related details that support it.

What are Informational Text Types?

Narrative, Browsable, Traditional, Expository Literature, Active.

What are Text Features like Graphs/Diagrams used for?

Present data and support key information in a visual form.

What is a Thesis statement in writing?

A clear, precise claim or main idea that guides the piece (TREE/TIDE frameworks provide structure).

What are the TREE and TIDE frameworks?

TREE: Thesis, Reasons, Evidence, Ending. TIDE: Thesis, Idea, Details, Ending.

What are the Four Main Writing Styles?

Persuasive, Narrative, Expository, Descriptive.

What are the Writing Stages (developmental)?

Pre-conventional, Emerging, Developing, Expanding.

What are the Stages of the Writing Process?

Pre-writing, Drafting, Revising, Editing, Publishing.

What is the difference between Revising and Editing?

Revising changes big-picture content/organization; Editing focuses on details like punctuation and grammar.

What is the role of Mini-Lessons in writing instruction?

Short, whole-group lessons introducing a skill with context, followed by practice.

What is Shared Writing?

Teacher and students write together, with teacher modeling and guiding capitalization, punctuation, etc.

What is the Writing Process for assessment?

Plan, draft, revise, edit, publish; practice to move toward final polished writing.

What is an Assistive Technology example for writing?

Speech-to-text software and word processors with spell check.

What is Graphic Organizers?

Tools to organize ideas and information before writing.

What is PECS?

Picture Exchange Communication System to support communication for nonverbal students.

What are AAC devices?

Symbol-based devices (e.g., speech-generating devices) to support speech-impaired students.

What is S-factor when giving instructions?

Say less, Stress important words, Slow down, Show (demonstrate).

What is RADAR in evaluating sources?

Rationale, Authority, Date, Accuracy, Relevancy—criteria for credibility.

What are credible website domains for sources?

.edu, .org, .gov are generally more credible; .com/.net are less reliable for academic work.

What are Bibliographic Information basics?

Information to cite sources (author, title, date, etc.) organized at the beginning of a project.

What are the five components of Oral Language?

Phonological skills, Syntax, Morphological skills, Pragmatics, Semantics/Vocabulary.

What is Pragmatics?

Social rules of language and adjusting language to context and audience.

What is Semantics?

Literal meaning of words and how language conveys meaning; includes figurative language.

What is a “Question of the Day” strategy?

Asking age-appropriate questions to prompt conversation and language use.

What are the key Oral Language Interventions?

One-on-one conversations, emphasize important words, extend discussions, wait time, model complete sentences.

What is the role of Nonverbal Communication Strategies?

Gestures, visual supports, modeling and role-playing to aid understanding.

What is the goal of Effective Presentations in an elementary classroom?

Clear, organized information with eye contact, appropriate volume, pace, and correct pronunciation.

What are the two primary types of Presentations described?

Informational (present facts) and Argumentative (present claim with reasons and evidence).