Best Practice Lesson: TASS (Title, Author, Source, Summary)
 

By: Mr. Wesley Challacombe, Aerospace Technology, Lake Stevens Middle School, Carol City, FL  

"My experience with utilizing USA TODAY has taught me that after approximately four weeks in class, students demonstrate a desire to read the newspaper and complete their TASS assignment. Not only are they being exposed to real-world issues, but also they are improving their critical thinking and reading skills. I'm happy!"

Students in middle school are experiencing the maturing process, part of which is making more choices for themselves. In an attempt to encourage sound choices, I developed TASS as an adjunct to the new cross-curricular reading initiative.

Goal

• Help to develop students' interest in reading and the world around them, using a newspaper (USA TODAY).

Critical Thinking Skills

• Help the students develop an awareness of what they have read and express it in a simple, direct summary.
• Develop a desire to read.

Lesson Tool

• TASS

Bibliography Skills

• Title
  
• Author
  
• Source
  
• Summary

Task
In a fifty-five minute period three readings or articles should be assigned. No more than one article from any section of the paper.

When stating the reading TASS process the teacher may wish to assign the articles that the students should read. As they develop the procedure, then the students may choose topics that interest them.

In a fifty-five minute period, twenty-five minutes should be allotted for independent reading of the three articles. Twenty minutes should be used to complete the TASS assignment. The final ten minutes should be used to do a "sweep" of the class and share some of their reactions to the articles.

Motivation
At first, grades are the prime incentive. Also the opportunity to make a choice regarding their grades. If the student chooses to complete the three articles as requested, he/she earns an A.

Conclusion
My experience with utilizing USA TODAY has taught me that after approximately four weeks in class, students demonstrate a desire to read the newspaper and complete their TASS assignment. USA TODAY is written in a manner that is student-friendly with a multitude of colorful photos and useful charts and graphs. In fact, when we don't receive the paper because our delivery day fell on a holiday, my students actually complain. Not only are they being exposed to real-world issues, but also they are improving their critical thinking and reading skills. I'm happy!