How will Sam contribute to the learning goals for first grade?
Sam builds on the oral language skills that children bring to first grade. Through the modeling function of Sam, more diverse and complex forms of narratives can be introduced, tried out, and mastered. We will be using Sam to look at relations between development of oral language skills and emergent reading and writing. Work with Sam directly contributes to goals in two of the four areas of the Chicago Reading Initiative (Comprehension and Writing). Through collaboration with 1st grade teachers, we will develop ways to extend the use of Sam to address the other two areas of the CRI (Fluency and Word Knowledge). Where can I find out more about Sam? For more information about our study using Sam, including how to participate, contact Dr. Susan Goldman (sgoldman@uic.edu, 312-996-4462) at the University of Illinois at Chicago. For more information about the research on Sam and other Story Listening Systems, see Dr. Justine Cassell’s homepage: http://web.media.mit.
