Runny Babbit

Examine the following poem. What do you notice?

Brainstorm

Strategies for decoding

What kinds of strategies can you use to decode the meaning of this poem?

Solving unknown words

During reading, we can make meaning by combining our prior or background knowledge with the use of cueing systems. Cueing systems are essentially different information sources or clues we can use to predict and/or solve unfamiliar words, phrases, and sentences.

There are three main types of cues: semantic (meaning) cues, syntactic (structural) cues, and graphophonic (phonological and graphic) cues.

Press ‘Types of Clues’ to learn and reveal more about the three main types of clues.

Types of Clues

Let's return to the poem in the Minds On. Use the different cueing systems to solve the unknown or "scrambled" words. Record the cues that you use in a method of your choice.

What other strategies did you use?

After you finish decoding the poem, click on ‘Bunny’s Reading Habits’ to reveal a rewritten version of the poem.

Bunny’s Reading Habits

Brainstorm

Think about your decoding

What do you notice about the edited version of the poem? How did meaning, language structure, and letter or sound/word patterns help you to decode the poem? Record your ideas using a method of your choice.

Ready, set, decode!

Examine another poem about Runny Babbit called “The Pancin’ Dartners.”

Review the three types of cues below and use them to decode or "unscramble" the poem.

Press on the buttons below to review semantic, syntactic, and graphophonic cues.

As you decode the poem, record the different cues that you use to solve the unknown or unfamiliar words. Then, rewrite the poem in "regular" language. Be sure to also describe the cue and/or other strategies that you used.

Complete the activity using the following fillable and printable template Unscramble the Poem, or another method of your choice.

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access the Unscramble the Poem. Activity (Open PDF in a new window)

Thinking about decoding

Think back to the Minds On when you were introduced to, “Runny’s Heading Rabits.” Then, think about how you read through, “The Pancin’ Dartners.”

• Did you notice any differences in the way you explored the poems?
• What kind of decoding strategies did you use?
• How do different cues help you to determine and/or identify unknown words?
• Did you discover any new strategies that you will use the next time you try to solve unknown or unfamiliar words? Explain your thinking.

Reflection

As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

I feel...

I have an excellent understanding of the concepts   I have a very good understanding of the concepts   I have some understanding but need to review some more  my understanding of the concepts needs a lot more work

Now, record your ideas using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.

Press ‘Discover More’ to extend your skills.