Contents Introduction Teaching Aids as an integral component of the classroom

Figure 2.1. Multiple Ways to Engage Students in Diverse Classrooms

Auditory	Visual	Tactile-Kinesthetic	Affective	Technology Options
Listening to text read aloud	Using a dictionary	Using a Braille dictionary	Working in areas of student interest	Using a talking dictionary
Listening to and retelling directions	Highlighting key points	Touching words on a word wall	Working with a partner who can help with definitions	Downloading and listening to a podcast on an iPod
Asking and answering questions	Outlining steps to solving a problem	Using manipulatives	Working alone or in cooperative groups	Using a word processing program
Engaging in a debate	Completing a graphic organizer	Building a model	Participating in a discussion group or book club	Using a talking calculator
Engaging in a discussion	Designing a poster	Using response cards	Participating in a seminar	Creating spreadsheets
Giving verbal prompts	Illustrating or taking pictures	Using a game format	Giving feedback	Creating a video
Talking through steps	Drawing	Finger spelling	Giving praise	Using blogging or text messaging

Using Print Resources

Reading instruction in the early elementary grades is focused on learning to read. As children graduate into upper elementary and middle school, the focus shifts to reading to learn. Diamond and Moorediscuss the importance of organizing classrooms to foster partnerships and collaboration among diverse students as they talk, listen, read, think, and write. These collaborations include providing students with experiences that allow them to read to learn. In the next section, we will discuss several important areas to be considered with respect to print resources—visual enhancement, cultural plurality, dictionaries, and other aids.

Using Visual Enhancement

Visually enhanced reading materials can contribute to students' learning experiences. Illustrations with vivid colors and details allow students' imaginations to travel to other times and places. Exploring the visual details of an environment helps students with reading or language challenges have a better understanding of the context of the reading material. Illustrations also can provide cultural information, open up meaningful literature experiences, and promote dynamic exchanges among diverse students as each person shares his or her interpretation of the story. Visually enhanced reading materials assist struggling readers by:

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  Providing indicators in the story line to help them anticipate and predict the content of the text.
  
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  Improving their comprehension with visual information that can be more accurately interpreted than language-based information.
  
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  Supporting their ability to recall and retell the story. Many students remember illustrated information for greater lengths of time than text-based information.
  

Graphic novels are another print resource to use with struggling readers. These novels are similar to comic books, but they have longer and more complex stories. Graphic novels provide the same benefits as illustrated books and are available in electronic formats.