Raising the Standards Through Chapter Books: The C.I.A. approach

by Sarah Collinge

Sarah Collinge introduces teachers to a new approach to reading chapter books that motivates students by bridging the gap between text and reader. The acronym C. I. A. stands for collect, interpret, and apply - the essential components of the approach. By breaking down the reading process into meaningful stages, Sarah brilliantly simplifies the overwhelming task of reading longer, more complex text. While making the process of reading explicit, the approach increases the cognitive capacities of all readers, whether they are below, at, or above grade level. Sarah presents research-based strategies, including:
The Gradual Release of Responsibility
Teacher read-aloud and guided practice
Co-created charting and the reader's notebook
Targeted vocabulary instruction
Writing about Reading
You will be amazed at the wealth of material Sarah packs into this compact guide, which is filled with student work samples, strategies and procedures to implement in your classroom, and assessment tips.

Genres: Education

167 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Shella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a clear and straightforward book about implementing the C.I.A. approach to reading for 3-6 grade classrooms. There has been a 2nd edition recently released. It divides analysis of a book into 4 quadrants to drive comprehension and facilitate deeper critical thinking. It also promotes stamina, which for on grade level readers is one of the biggest hurdles at this age group to conquer. What I liked best was the use of authentic high quality reading chapter books as the core of the program. It does not promote just doing whatever with whatever materials or using boring articles and watered down reading anthologies. She stresses for the mentor text to be high quality and slightly above grade level. If you have a 2 hour ELA block, this will be no problem at all to implement. It asks for 90 min., but to do other writing work, roots, spelling etc., two hours would be perfect. However, most teachers will not have that much time. I will have 40 minutes to teach a 90 min. program to two classes of students- 40-50 students total. In order to keep the fidelity will be very tricky. I just read the Joy of Reading, by Donalyn Miller. It would be interesting to have Sarah Collinge and Donalyn Miller on the same discussion panel. I like ideas from both of these educators. I tend to lean more toward Miller in the fact that voice in choice and daily time to read and share ideas about their own independent reading trumps all. From Collinge's point of view, students cannot be trusted to make reading choices on their own. My fear with this program and limited time teachers are given, the independent reading and student choice will be the first cut. I am determined to figure out a way so this won't happen. I liked Collinge's suggestion about using a recipe box type system when conferring. I have never been able to find a system that I like for this purpose. I will give this a try. The main area that I disagree with the author is about book clubs. I have done book clubs based around a genre. I make a list of books that are available and appropriate. From that selection, students vote and still have many choices. I do my very best to give them one of their top choices. Students having a voice in choice is really important and that is missing in this program. Teachers that are avid readers of student books will do fine to juggle many titles. Having a title ready to assign, giving students no choice, and having them never read together is not my idea of a book club. There needs to be updates and more book club titles. There is very little diversity in some of the units. In order to be reflective teachers, having more titles for book clubs and then choosing the titles we think we can handle and are the most interesting for those students that year, would be a huge improvement. I don't want just three titles and then assign them based on test scores. That goes against my teacher gut in so many ways. We are taking all choice away. We need to trust students a bit more, be guides to help them tackle more complex text, give them time for peer to peer interaction in the actually reading of a text. I am a former Montessori teacher, so setting the environment, guiding and providing exciting titles to students is my job and I am comfortable with lots of plates spinning. My job is not to dictate every minutia of reading choice because "the teacher knows better." For students to be life long readers they need to learn how to select titles, stay with a book, and evaluate and apply book themes to their lives. This program does two of these three very well. Schools need to give students just the gift of time to read as well as access to a LARGE variety of quality titles for independent reading. I am afraid this is always the first cut and it is the MOST important. If anyone else is trying to balance the philosophy of Joy of Reading by Donalyn Miller and this series, please message me with some ideas. Thank you in advance.

[Colleen Spillers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great - easy to read book! (I read it in 2 sittings)

This book gives excellent background on the CIA approach to teaching reading - which we are currently piloting in our schools and will be fully implementing next year. Honestly, from what I have seen so far, I am loving the CIA approach. Of course, I have questions, but overall, I love how it grows thinker and readers.

The books is also great if you want a general background on why we teach reading and some ideas on how to incorporate a read-aloud workshop model in your classroom - even if you aren't fully using this CIA in its entirety.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am intrigued by the C.I.A. approach and am planning to try it out in my 3rd grade classroom this fall (2020).

This approach to novel studies teaches you how to maximize instruction by breaking a novel into 4 quadrants, and then teaching students to notice the components present in each quadrant. I used it with the book Poppy by AVI and plan to adapt it to my novel studies of Charlotte’s Web, Sign of the Beaver, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, and The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs.