Running head: FUNCTIONAL READING WITH FUNCTIONAL FOLDERS 1

Functional Reading with Functional Folders Activity

Michelle Johnson, Abigail Keller, Misty Roark, Ronni Clark

RDG530

March 26, 2012

John Snell

FUNCTIONAL READING WITH FUNCTIONAL FOLDERS 2

Functional Reading with Functional Folders

Typical instruction involves materials and activities from classroom textbooks and

workbooks. Although these provide learning opportunities for students, their content of real

world-experiences is lacking. This can lead to difficulty of the learning task, as the student has

to transfer instructional concepts taught in the classroom to that of the real world. Functional

folders provide an opportunity for a student to learn how “to read through with the very materials

they will encounter in daily situations” (Gottsdanker-Willekens, 1982, p. 764).

Functional folders take on four different forms. The first folder, Reading to Follow

Directions (F.D.), can include items such as roadmaps, game directions, and bus schedules. The

second folder, Reading to Gain Information (G.I.), can include movie advertisements, sports

information, and menus. The third folder, Reading to Use References (U.R.), are items such as a

phone directory, dictionary, and glossary. The last folder, Reading to Fill out Forms (F.O.F.),

include banking forms, magazine subscriptions, and club memberships. The following is a

master list of the different functional folders that Learning Team A developed.

Folder Code

Reading to Use References (U.R. #1)

Reading to Fill Out Forms (F.O.F. #1)

Reading to Gain Information (G.I. #1)

Reading to Gain Information (G.I. #2)

Reading to Follow Directions (F.D. #1)

Reading to Use References (U.R. #2)

Functional Folder Contents

2007 TV Schedule

Kids’ Club Application

Solar System Flyer

Easter Folder

Metra Ticket Information

Third Grade Glossary

FUNCTIONAL READING WITH FUNCTIONAL FOLDERS 3

Reading to Use References (U.R. #1)

U.R. #1

TV GUIDE CHANNEL QUESTIONS

Mondays Fall 2007 TV Schedule 8:00-10:30pm

Set 11.What year is this schedule for?2.What time does the first show come on?3.What day is this schedule for?

Set 21.What channel has the most shows on between 8-

10:30pm?2.What TV shows are new?3.What channel and what time does Samantha Who Come

on?Set 3

1. How long is the TV show Journeymen?2. How many TV shows are highlighted in yellow? Why?3. How much of Dancing with the Stars can I watch if I

watch all of Prison Break first?

FUNCTIONAL READING WITH FUNCTIONAL FOLDERS 4

FUNCTIONAL FOLDER ANSWER SHEETName: LeeClass: 2nd grade reading and math

Folder Code Set # 1 2 3UR #1 1 2007 8 MondaysUR #1 2 CBS Big Bang, Chuck,

Journeyman, Aliens in America, Samantha

Who, K-ville

ABC and 9:30

UR #1 3 30 minutes 7, these are the shows that “we watch”

The last 30 minutes

FUNCTIONAL READING WITH FUNCTIONAL FOLDERS 5

Reading to Fill Out Forms (F.O.F. #1)

FUNCTIONAL READING WITH FUNCTIONAL FOLDERS 6

F.O.F #1

CHAMPS KIDS CLUB QUESTIONS

Kids club membership order form Set 11.What ages are allowed in the club?2.Does the membership require a parent’s signature?3.What % will you save on merchandise on Sunday home

games?

Set 21.How much money do you save if it is a $50 dollar value for

$5 dollars?2.What is your mailing address?3.What is your phone number and email address?

Set 31. What are the perks of being a member?2. If five children were applying for a membership, how

much money would it cost?3. If you didn’t have a form for a membership how else

could you get a membership?

FUNCTIONAL FOLDER ANSWER SHEETName: LeeClass: 2nd, Reading

Folder Code Set # 1 2 3FOF #1 1 12 and under Only if Credit card is

used10%

FOF #1 2 45 dollars PO box 553 Hollis, OK 73550

5806882306Elijah@hollis.k12.ok.us

FOF #1 3 Discounts, tshirt, putt pizza, 10% off Sunday

home game merchandise

25 dollars Can be purchased at the front gate office

FUNCTIONAL READING WITH FUNCTIONAL FOLDERS 7

Reading to Gain Information (G.I. #1)

FUNCTIONAL READING WITH FUNCTIONAL FOLDERS 8

G.I. #1

STRANGE FACTS ABOUT PLANETS

QUESTIONS

www.ospebas.com Set 11.What planet has the most eccentric orbit of the planets?2.How long does summer last on Uranus?3.How hot does Venus get?

Set 21. On what planet is the canyon “Valles Marineris”?2. How many planet Earths can fit inside the sun?3. If you want to visit the coldest place in our solar system

where would you go?Set 31. At its closest point, how far is Mercury from the Sun?2. Does the temperature on Venus change?3. On Enceladus there could be life. What planet has Enceladus as a moon?

FUNCTIONAL FOLDER ANSWER SHEET

Name: LaurelClass: 3rd grade reading and science

Folder Code Set # 1 2 3GI #1 1 Mercury 42 years Over 460 degrees

CelsiusGI #1 2 Mars 1 Million NeptuneGI #1 3 46 million km away from

the sunNo it does not change Saturn has Enceladus

as a moon

FUNCTIONAL READING WITH FUNCTIONAL FOLDERS 9

Reading to Gain Information (G.I. #2)

FUNCTIONAL READING WITH FUNCTIONAL FOLDERS 10

G.I. #2

JOSEPH’S MARKETPLACE QUESTIONS

Mail Grocery Store Flyer Set 11. What store is this an advertisement for? (Name of the

store)2. What is the dollar savings of one of the store’s coupons?3. What can you get free through this offer?

Set 21.Does this store provide catering?2. How long has this store been in business?3. Why is this store offering these specials

Set 3 1. At what approximate intersection is this store located? 2. When does the “free” coupon offer expire? 3. What is a landmark you can look for when searching for this store?

FUNCTIONAL FOLDER ANSWER SHEET

Name: MathClass: 3rd grade

Folder Code Set # 1 2 3GI #2 1 Joseph’s Marketplace $10, $2, $5 Gallon of Dean’s Milk, 1

dozen eggland’s Large eggs, 1 Loaf fresh

baked breadGI #2 2 Yes (from Menu) Seven years

(anniversary)They are Easter and anniversary specials

GI #2 3 Route 14 and Virginia Road

4-20-12 Behind Auto Zone

Reading to Follow Directions (F.D. #)

F.D. #1

READING TO FOLLOW DIRECTIONS

QUESTIONS

FUNCTIONAL READING WITH FUNCTIONAL FOLDERS 11

Metra Union Pacific Northwest Line Set 11. What is this form used for2. Where does the train start out?3. How much is a weekend pass?Set 21. What are some of the cities that the train stops at along the line?2. What is name of the train line called?3. What are the names of the end-of-the-line stops?Set 31. What is their company logo?2. How long would it take to get from Barrington to Fox River Grove at 6:17pm?3. What is the age of a child who can ride the train by alone?

FUNCTIONAL FOLDER ANSWER SHEET

Name: Social Studies/ GeographyClass: 3rd grade

Folder Code Set # 1 2 3FD #1 1 Suburban Train travel Either in Chicago or

Harvard$7 per person unlimited

rides Sat/SunFD #1 2 Park Ridge, Dee Road,

etcMetra Union Pacific

Northwest LineChicago and Harvard

FD #1 3 Metra: The way to really fly

8 minutes 7 years and above

FUNCTIONAL READING WITH FUNCTIONAL FOLDERS 12

Reading to Use References (U.R. #2)

Oakdale Writing Partnershipand Continuum

in collaboration with Great Valley Writing Project at CSU Stanislaus

Third Grade Glossary

AlliterationThe repetition of the same sound, usually of a consonant, at the beginning of two or more words immediately succeeding each other or at short intervals.Example: The repetition of f and g in “fields ever fresh, groves ever green,” “Sally’s seal.”

AnalogyA comparison based on a similar relationship.Example: eye:seeing::ear:hearing

AudienceAn audience is a group of readers who reads a particular piece of writing. A writer should anticipate the needs or expectations of the audience in order to convey information or argue for a particular claim. The audience might be your instructor, classmates, the president of an organization, the staff of a management company, or any other number of possibilities. You need to know your audience before you start writing.

Base/Root WordA word to which affixes may be added to create related words.Example: Teach in reteach or teaching.

Descriptive WritingWriting that uses concrete sensory details to present and support unified impressions of people, places, things, or experiences.

Fluency The clear, easy, written or spoken expression of ideas with the ability to write with transitions that read smoothly, easily, and readily.

GenreA category used to describe different kinds of writing such as folktales, fables, and realistic fiction.

HomophoneA word with a different origin and meaning but having the same pronunciation as another word whether or not spelled alike.Example: Hair and hare; scale, as in ~ of a fish compared to ~ a ladder.

Letter WritingPersonal and formal letters, thank-you notes, and invitations show awareness of the knowledge and interests of the audience and establish a purpose and context. They include the date, proper salutation, body, closing, and signature.

MetaphorA figure of speech comparing two unlike things that emphasizes something in common.

FUNCTIONAL READING WITH FUNCTIONAL FOLDERS 13

Example: The football player was a bulldozer.

Copyright © Oakdale Joint Unified School District. All rights reserved.Site designed by Mayaco/Estockton

U.R. #2

READING TO FOLLOW DIRECTIONS

QUESTIONS

Third Grade Glossary Set 11. List an example of a homophone.2. What is the root word of teaching?3. List an example of an analogy.Set 21. Describe in your own words what a genre is.2. Describe alliteration.3. What is fluency?Set 31. What are the five parts to a letter?2. Why is it important to know your audience when writing?3. What is the difference between an analogy and a metaphor?

FUNCTIONAL FOLDER ANSWER SHEET

Name: Reading/LiteratureClass: 3rd grade

Folder Code Set # 1 2 3UR #2 1 Hare and hair Teach eye:seeing::ear:hearing

UR #2 2 It’s a category that writing pieces fit into.

When two or more consecutive words

begin with the same consonant sound.

It’s how well and how easily you read or write.

UR #2 3 Date, proper salutation, body, closing, and

signature.

A writer should anticipate the needs or

expectations of the audience in order to

convey information or argue for a particular

claim.

An analogy is a comparison usually

using the words like or as. A metaphor is a

comparison that states that one thing is

another.

FUNCTIONAL READING WITH FUNCTIONAL FOLDERS 14

References

Gottsdanker-Willekens, A. E. (1982, May). Functional Folders: Independent Applied Reading

Materials. Journal of Reading, 25(8), 764 - 767. Retrieved from

http://www.jstor.org/pss/40029176.

Oakfield Joint Unified School District Website. (2010). Third grade glossary. Retrieved March

24, 2012, from

http://www.oakdale.k12.ca.us/teachers-and-staff/ELAContinuum/Glossaries/

03Glossary.htm.