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Intra-Act Reading Strategy

This strategy is used for after students have read a controversial article, essay,
webpage or even watching a video. The term Intra is meant to represent students
intra-personal dialogue in which students go through phases of critical thinking
including comprehension of what they read, relating what they have read to their
past experiences and those of their peers, appraisal of what they have read and
how they feel and finally a reflection on their own and their peers opinions on the
reading.
Steps for Intra-Act
1. The teacher selects a controversial reading and prepares a Value Statement
Sheet with statements that students can agree or disagree with. Include
columns for multiple student responses (see attached).
2. Students are broken into small groups of approximately 4 students and a
group leader is appointed by the teacher.
a. Students read the article independently.
b. The team leader summarizes the article with the help of the team.
c. The group will then discuss their personal reactions to the reading lead
by the team leader.
3. At this point the Value Statement sheet is distributed to all team members.
a. Explain to students that they will fill in their name and the names of
their group members across the columns.
b. For each statement have students write in a (+) if they agree with the
statement or a (-) if they do not agree with the statement.
c. Students will then fill in a (+) or (-) for how they think each of their
team members will respond for each statement.
d. Once everyone has completed the Value Statement sheet students will
share with their group whether they agreed or disagreed with each
statement.
I think this activity can be used for any age of student if an appropriate reading is
chosen. Even elementary students have background information and opinions on
subjects. Something as simple as schools should serve soda at lunch could be used
for this activity. To modify for ELL or SPED students teachers could either modify the
reading with a program like Rewordify or Google translator. Using a video to show
the controversial subject would also be helpful since it will have visual cues for the
topic being discussed. As stated above as long as you choose an appropriate level
and a subject that is relevant to the students I think that this could be used for all
students.
It is important for students to form their own opinions and to recognize how their
previous experiences can influence those opinions. I like how this activity helps
walk them through recognizing these opinions. Intra-Act also helps develop
students ability to relate their opinions in a non-confrontational way and shows
them how people may be different or similar in their views. The one thing I think is
missing from this activity is that it does not require students to show facts or
supporting evidence to back up their opinion.

Article Title:
Please consider the following value statements. Place all the names of the students
in your group across the top, including your own. Then, under your own name, write
in a (+) if you agree with each statement or a (-) if you disagree with each
statement. Following that, please predict how you think each of your group mates
will choose with a (+) or (-). Once everyone has completed the worksheet please
share your responses with the group.
Value
Statement
Value
Statement #1
Value
Statement #2
Value
Statement #3
Value
Statement #4

Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

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