The Strategic Instruction Model
The Strategic Instruction Model (SIM) , developed by researchers and teachers at the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning (KU-CRL), is an approach to teaching adolescents who struggle with becoming good readers, writers, and learners. It is based on the reality that for adolescents to meet high standards, they must be able to read and understand large volumes of complex, difficult reading materials. Additionally, they must acquire the skills to express themselves effectively in writing.
SIM's approach to instruction involves intensive, carefully tailored lessons in which students have ample opportunities to practice learning targeted strategies that will help them succeed in their classes. Teachers who use SIM in their classes are prepared to do so through extensive professional development experiences. They also are provided instructional materials to assist them in teaching these students.
SIM's instructional programs provide an array of supports for improving adolescent literacy.
The Visual Imagery Strategy, for example, helps students overcome difficulty understanding reading passages by teaching them to create mental pictures as they read.
The Paraphrasing Strategy guides students in identifying the main points of a paragraph and then restating them in their own words.
The LINCS Vocabulary Strategy helps students learn the meaning of new vocabulary words through powerful memory techniques.
The Sentence Writing, Paragraph Writing, and Theme Writing strategies provide concrete steps for students, beginning with the basics of writing a complete sentence through the more advanced processes involved in writing essays.
Taken as a whole, the instructional components of SIM take the processes that are necessary for learning and break them down into manageable steps enabling students to successfully meet standards.
