How to read a textbook –

SQ4R

Learn smarter, not harder…

Learn smarter, not harder…Jigsaw puzzle - 500 pieces - two

groupsOne group - puzzle in the original boxSecond group – puzzle in a brown bag

Who will finish the puzzle first?…Seems pretty obvious,

doesn’t it?

Learn smarter, not harder…

When you pick up a text book and just start reading it…

…that is like working the puzzle without being able to see thepicture on the box!

The SQ4R Study MethodSQ4R is like having the picture on the

puzzle box.You spend a little time up front……that pays big dividends in improving

your learning efficiency and effectiveness.

The SQ4R Study Method• Survey• Question• Read• Recall• Review/Reflect• Relate & Connect

SQ4R Method • S = Survey• Look for structure & organization of

chapter• Q = Question• Turn each heading into question• 4 R’s = Reading, Recalling, Reviewing &

Relating• Read to answer above question• Recall the answer to question• Review/Reflect – immediate & delayed• Relate – How does this connect to what you

already know?

How to read a textbook –SQ4R

Survey• Title

– Introductory paragraphs• Background, purpose

– Headings, subheadings• Outline

– Summary

Survey: Get the “Big Picture”

• What reader aids are included in the text?• Read all the titles and subtitles. • Read captions under pictures, charts, graphs,

or maps.• Read the questions at the end of the

chapter.• If there is a summary read it.• Get an overview of what the chapter is

about.

How to read a textbook –SQ4R

Question• Formulate questions before you read

– Heading and subtitle– Journalistic questions

• 1 Husband & 5 Wives– Reading is thinking – good students

think while they read.

Question: Reading for Specific Purpose

•Turn each title and subtitle into a question.•What questions will the chapter answer?•Ask yourself, "What will my teacher ask about this chapter or topic?“•What do I already know about this topic?

How to read a textbook –SQ4R

Read• Read material under one heading or

subheading• Read ideas• Take minimal notes

Read: Active Search of Answers

•What is the writer’s purpose?•Reduce your speed for difficult passages.•Stop and reread parts that are not clear.

Activity 1: Skimming for general informationSurvey the questions. Then skim the passage in 30 seconds. DO NOT spend

more than this amount of time on your first reading. Record the correct answer to each question.

1 This passage is about A) a person B) a place C) an animal D) a time.2 This passage discusses A) a problem B) a solution C) an opinion D) a policy.3 The author of this passage expresses A) love B) concern C) joy D) anger.4 The topic of this passage is A) the cougar B) mammals of the Western Hemisphere C) endangered species D) a threat to livestock

Sometimes called puma, panther, or mountain lion, the agile cougar has a greater natural range than any other mammal in the Western Hemisphere except humans. However, long viewed as a threat to livestock, it has been intensively hunted since the arrival of European colonists to the Americas and was almost extinct by the early twentieth century. While protective measures have been implemented in the United States, humans continue to destroy the cougar’s habitat, further endangering this solitary cat.

Activity 2: Scanning for Details (same passage)

Allow yourself ONE minute to do this exercise. Read the questions below about the passage in Activity 1. Then, using the related words in bold print below, QUICKLY scan the passage to find the answer to each question. Record your answer.

1 The cougar is know by how many other names?

2 In what part of the world does the cougar live?

3 At what point in time did the cougar face extinction?

4 What country has measures to protect the cougar?

Sometimes called puma, panther, or mountain lion, the agile cougar has a greater natural range than any other mammal in the Western Hemisphere except humans. However, long viewed as a threat to livestock, it has been intensively hunted since the arrival of European colonists to the Americas and was almost extinct by the early twentieth century. While protective measures have been implemented in the United States, humans continue to destroy the cougar’s habitat, further endangering this solitary cat.

Answers to Activities 1 and 2

Activity 11) C 2) A 3) B 4) A

Activity 21 three2 the Western Hemisphere3 the early twentieth century4 the United States

How to read a textbook –SQ4R

Recall• Answer the questions you asked

before you began reading• Use your own words

Read Recall

1 month

2 months

30%

14%

80%

70%

Recall: Put in your own words•Ask yourself questions about what was just read and/or summarize, in your own words, what was read.

How to read a textbook –SQ4R

Record• Take notes from the reading (journal

form)• Highlight/underline main ideas &

supporting details

How to read a textbook –SQ4R

Review• Look over your notes and

headings/subheadings for overview• Recall supporting details• Predict test questions based on main

points

Relate: Making Links

•Link to previous knowledge•How you can use this information?•What else you need to know more about?

SQ4R - ReflectionWhat do you think of this strategy?Would it work for you?Why/why not?

SQ4R Method • S = Survey• Look for structure & organization of

chapter• Q = Question• Turn each heading into question• 4 R’s = Reading, Recalling, Reviewing &

Relating• Read to answer above question• Recall the answer to question• Review/Reflect – immediate & delayed• Relate – How does this connect to what you

already know?

Questions?