* How do you help students with ....

listening comprension??? and note taking???

I think - for most students, that is the most challenging aspect of the ELAs. Any tools or strategies you use?

Re: * How do you help students with ....

It really helps to model for the kids how to take notes. I used to pick a strong reader, coach him/her before, then have them read a short piece. I'd model on the overhead how they should take notes. You should stress the following:
- key words and phrases, not sentences
- abbreviate
- don't stress about neatness- you don't have to be able to read their notes, but they do.
-make two columns and write down the page, not across. It's faster that way
- only listen during the first reading, and take notes on the second

Also, it pays to read out loud every day- you don't always have to make them take notes. In fact, doing it every day might be too much. What grade are your kids? Holes, Seedfolks and The Lovely Bones (for older kids only) are great read alouds.

Re: * How do you help students with ....

My students are in the 6th grade ... and special needs.

I do a lot of guided practice. However, I have noticed that a lot of teachers neglect these skills and when it comes to the ELA the students cannot take notes on the listening section.

I am creating a packet for the ELA department and I want to include as many strategies that I can.

I would love to have audio listening tapes included in work stations ... kids listen to a short selection and take notes.

Thanks for your help!

Re: * How do you help students with ....

I have them watch a movie and take notes. I stop the movie frequently and give them a writing assignment. They have to write a paragraph answering a question about a particular part of the movie. All in all, I think it's about 6 paragraphs throughout the course of the movie.
It's a great way to review listening skills, notetaking, paragraph writing, and literary techniques.
And they're watching a movie, so they enjoy at least a part of it. When asked to reflect on assignments we've had, most of the students remember this assignement as a fun, yet educational one.

Re: * How do you help students with ....

As a speech-lang. path. I work with children with auditory processing disorders that impact comprehension. I often teach them strategies such as subvocalization (repeating back to themselves quietly/silently), visualizing, and chunking.

Re: * How do you help students with ....