Effective Reading Strategies

Before, During & After Reading…

Critical Assignment 1Jordon Spencer

RED 4348Dr. M KinggaurdMarch 30, 2016

Before Reading:Frontloading

Frontloading techniques are used before reading to activate prior knowledge, discuss critical knowledge and vocabulary needed to understand the text, and provide information on text structures and useful comprehension strategies (Bursuck & Damer, 2011).

Review keys words such as:

photosynthesis, oxygen, and

carbon dioxide.

Example: before reading text about photosynthesis, have students observe the classroom plant and give facts and observations about it. it.

Before Reading:Explore the Table of Contents

Nonfiction books are full of information. Helping student

become familiar with the table of contents will allow them to locate

important information quickly and prepare them to begin

thinking about what they will be reading.

Before Reading:Introduce New Vocabulary

Introducing vocabulary before reading, that may be new and difficult to decode, will help students with the comprehension process as they read. Often students read over unknown words with out ever understanding the concept.Vocabulary Game: Kick Me

Before Reading:Set a Purpose

Setting a purpose will keep students alert while reading. They have a question in

mind and are searching for the

answer. You may have only one main

purpose, or several purposes for reading

nonfiction text.

Before Reading:Make Predictions

Give students target questions to write a prediction on. This also is a way to help students focus on the main idea while reading text. Making predictions works great when reading science books and other nonfiction material. You could ask “What do you think will happen to the beaches during high tide? During low tide?”

Predictions get the brain storming!

“Strugglin

g

readers benefit

from observi

ng

what skille

d

readers think

about while

reading”

(Bursuck &

Damer, 2011)

During Reading:Think Alouds

The use of think-alouds is a strategy by which a teacher models the active thinking

process while reading.Teacher verbalizes:

• Comprehension strategies• How to determine the meaning

of a vocabulary word• Predictions

• Check for understandingDemonstration of Read-Aloud Strategy

During Reading:Fix-Up Strategies

Proficient readers are aware when they do not know a word or when the text does not make sense. Proficient readers use fix-up strategies which teachers should demonstrate as they come to difficult parts of text.

During Reading:Concept Maps

Create a partially completed concept map to be completed during instruction. This will keep students on task as you read and provide a multisensory learning approach which will benefit many special needs students.

You can find examples of concept maps by doing a quick Google image search.

Title

Main ideaParagraph 1

2 Details

During Reading:Summarizing

Summarizing is a simple technique that can be done by the teacher or students. Take moments to reflect upon vocabulary, metaphors and concepts. Depending on the text this an be done every paragraph, every page, or every chapter. Ask questions and come up with a short summary of what you have read. You can do this verbally or have students write there own summaries before continuing to the next piece of text.

Example of Summarizing Strategy

During Reading:Self-Questioning

Readers become actively engaged with text by asking themselves

questions as they read. Teachers can prompt students to ask these questions by starting off with the main question words: Who, What,

Where, When Why & How. (Bursuck & Damer, 2011)

After Reading:Review Predictions & Graphic Organizers

After reading you should review the predictions your class has made. Talk about why a prediction is correct or incorrect. You should also review graphic organizers to ensure that students accurately filled them out. This can be done in a “pop corn” style where students pop up, or volunteer, to give their answers.

After Reading:Timeline or diagrams

After reading about something such as a historic event or scientific process. For example, you can allow students to create timelines to order the events of the pilgrimage to America or create a diagram of the water cycle.

After Reading:Make Connections

After reading, allow students to get into small groups and discuss the connections they can make to the text. Have them write down their answers and share it with the class.

After Reading:Interactive Quiz

Write a list of things that the class has learned on the board. This can be done in small groups or a whole group, allowing all students to participate. Then use the information to make a quiz.

Here is an example of a fun interactive quiz!

After Reading:Exit Slips

Ask students a question about the topic they have been reading. Write it on the board and tell them they have to answer it on their exit slip before they leave the classroom or go on to the next activity. Often times these questions can be come straight from the text, or you may choose to use Author and You or On My Own QARs.

ReferencesBursuck, W. D., & Damer, M. (2011). Teaching reading to students who are at risk or have

disabilities: A multi-tier approach. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson

eHowEducation. (2013, August 1). Teaching Strategies for Using Summarizing for Comprehension: Reading Lessons [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5TiUcVg2tk

Finding JOY in 6th Grade: Anchor Chart Link-Up. (2012, March 26). Retrieved March 31, 2016, from http://joyin6th.blogspot.ca/2012/03/anchor-chart-link-up.html

Making Predictions - Crystal Ball. (n.d.). Retrieved March 31, 2016, from https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Making-Predictions-Crystal-Ball-1388638

Mosher, C. (2012, March 29). Middle School Quiz Bowl League 2012 Finals [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuTT6AoEmFQ

Scilit. (2013, September 23). MINI-LECTURE #2 Read aloud Think aloud [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJ_ae40TgN4

TeachingChannel. (2011, May 25). Kick Me: Making Vocabulary Interactive [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm_VuQIKsME