Study of Instructional Improvement

Literacy Instruction

Below are teacher measures of instructional practice in language arts developed by Correnti and Rowan (2007) using SII teacher log data. Generally, log data have been analyzed by SII researchers using three-level hierarchical linear models that nest multiple log reports within teachers within schools (see an example here).

It may interest readers to view the log instrument protocols filled out by teachers (here) and to review the glossaries (here) explaining SII terminology adopted for the instruments. Log data files for both language arts and mathematics are available for download here. Although the log data files contain many of the variables necessary for critical data reduction, researchers may observe the syntax to replicate the process here.

Table 1: Word Analysis Measures

Measures Components Log Item
Letter–sound relationships letter-sound relationships C1a
Counting the number of sounds in a word C1b
sound spelling/invented spelling/developmental spelling C1c
segmenting a part of the word C1d
other segmenting tasks C1e
blending initial sounds with a rhyming word (onset-rime) C1f
blending individual phonemes into real words C1g
blending phonemes into nonsense words C1h
blending syllables C1i
other blending tasks C1j
Sight words word recognition, sight words C1k
Use picture/context cues use of context, picture, and/or sentence meaning and structure to read words C1m
Use phonics cues use of phonics-based or letter-sound relationships to read words in sentences or stories C1n
Structural analysis structural analysis, examining word families, prefixes, suffixes, contractions, etc. C1l
Assess Student Ability I listened to the target student read C4a
I took running records or conducted a miscue analysis C4b
I administered a word analysis test C4c
Teacher Directed Instruction I corrected the student’s errors or modeled the correct answer C3a
I prompted the student to use the context (other words in sentence, pictures, what they already know) to read the word C3c
I gave oral cues – sounding out parts of the word for them C3d
Focus on Comprehension Percent of word analysis lessons reading comprehension was also a focus 4a
Focus on Writing Percent of word analysis lessons writing was also a focus 4b

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Table 2: Reading Comprehension Measures

Measures Components Log Item
Activate knowledge Activating prior knowledge or making personal connections to text A1a
Making predictions, previewing or Surveying A1b
Literal comprehension Answering questions that have answers directly stated in the text A1j
Answering questions that require inferences A1k
Explaining how to find answers or information A1l
Story structure Using concept maps, story maps or text structure frames A1i
Sequencing information or events A1m
Identifying story structure A1n
Summarizing important details A1q
Analyze/ synthesize Comparing and/or contrasting information or texts A1p
Analyzing and evaluating text A1r
Brief answers Answered brief oral questions A3a
Answered multiple choice questions A3e
Completed sentences filling in blanks A3f
Wrote brief answers to questions A3h
Students discuss text Discussed text with peers A3b
Did a think-aloud or explained how they applied a skill or strategy A3c
Generated questions about text A3d
Extended answers Wrote extensive answers to questions A3i
Worked on a literature extension project A3j
Teacher directed instruction Teacher demonstrated or explained a skill A4a
Teacher demonstrated or explained how to use a reading strategy A4b
Teacher explained why or when to use a reading strategy A4c
Integrate writing examining literary techniques or author’s style A1s
written literature extension project A1t
examined literary techniques or author’s style in writing B1c
teacher explained how to write, organize ideas, revise or edit using a published author’s writing B3c
Focus on Writing Percent of reading comprehension lessons where writing was also a focus 4b

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Table 3: Writing Measures

Measures Components Log Item
Pre-Writing generating ideas for writing B1a
organizing ideas for writing B1b
Writing Practice writing practice B1e
Revise writing revision of writing-elaboration B1f
revision of writing-refining or re-organizing B1g
Edit writing editing capitals, punctuation, or spelling B1h
editing word use, grammar or syntax B1i
Share writing sharing writing with others B1j
Literary techniques /genre study literary techniques or author’s style B1c
writing forms or genres (e.g. letter, drama, editorial, Haiku) B1d
Teacher comments on writing I commented on what the student wrote not how B3f
I described what the student did well in his/her writing B3g
Teacher directed instruction I demonstrated or did a think-aloud using my own writing B3a
I explained how to write, organize ideas, revise or edit using st. writing B3b
I explained how to write, organize ideas, revise or edit using a published author’s writing B3c
I led the student and his/her peers in a group composition B3e
I commented on how the student could improve his/her writing B3h
Focus on Comprehension Percent of writing lessons where reading comprehension was also a focus 4a
Integrate Comprehension examining literary techniques or author’s style A1s
written literature extension project A1t
wrote extensive answers to questions A3i
worked on a literature extension project A3j
Write words student’s writing consisted of letter strings or words B2a
Separate sentences student’s writing consisted of separate sentences B2b
Separate paragraph student’s writing consisted of a single paragraph B2c
Connected paragraphs student’s writing consisted of connected paragraphs B2d

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