Geodes customers using Wit & Wisdom in Sync have special access to 30 digital flipbook versions of Geodes as well as read-aloud videos of these texts for Kindergarten, Grade 1, and Grade 2 students.
Geodes are texts that enable students to apply their growing phonetic knowledge while learning about important ideas in science, history, and the arts. Geodes are designed for all students and align with the sequence of knowledge building in Wit & Wisdom and the sequenced foundational reading skills instruction in Wilson Fundations®. Our goal is always to maximize the time that students spend reading; Geodes flipbooks and read-aloud videos support that goal across distance and hybrid learning contexts.
How can teachers use Geodes with Wit & Wisdom in Sync™? The short answer is that they can use them as they would in person, with some adaptations, and in whatever ways work best for their students!
Inside Geodes, the helpful teacher resource that is included with every module set of Geodes, provides Book Notes that describe some of the flexible teaching options for each Geodes book. Teachers can easily modify these teaching options for distance and hybrid learning arrangements.
The following are some ways that Geodes educators have used the texts in teaching and learning at a distance this year:
- In 1:1 or small-group instruction. Teachers can use the flipbooks in small online student meetings for tailored fluency practice or knowledge-building discussions. See the Comprehension Discussion Guide, Teachable Moments, and Response Journal Ideas in the Inside Geodes Book Notes for specific suggestions. 1:1 and small-group meetings can yield valuable information about students’ strengths and challenges.
- As a scaffold. Students who need additional support can read along in the print copy while viewing the Geodes read-aloud video, just as they might follow along in class with the teacher or at home with a caregiver. Students can stop and start the video or replay it as needed.
- To engage families and caregivers. Geodes flipbooks can help students continue learning even on days when they are not in the school building. Students can read the digital flipbooks with their families and caregivers for additional practice, and students who are not yet able to read independently can enjoy listening to the read-alouds with their families.
Educators looking for more guidance on using Geodes may want to sign up for the Getting Started with Geodes PD session. In this session, participants delve into the why, what, and how of Geodes and explore options for integrating Geodes into daily teaching and learning—whether in person or at a distance.