Embedded Reading: An example and explanation for teachers who want to help students to discover the joy and the power of reading ! © Clarcq, Whaley 2012
This slide show has been made available for educational purposes only. If you have any questions, or would like to know more about Embedded Reading, check out the website at or feel free contact us at © Clarcq, Whaley 2012
The purpose of language, used in communication, is to create a picture in the mind and/or the heart of another person. L. Clarcq
What is Embedded Reading? An embedded reading is three or more scaffolded versions of a single text. © Clarcq, Whaley 2012
It is designed to prepare students to comprehend text that the students perceive to be beyond their capability.
Embedded readings provide information in a way that can develop the students’ reading and critical thinking skills. Using embedded readings not only allows students to acquire language, it provides a framework for improving reading abilities. © Clarcq, Whaley 2012
The next slide is an example of a text that will be adapted and used as an Embedded Reading. We will use it to better understand what an Embedded Reading looks like and how it could be used with students. It is fairly long and contains a significant amount of information. © Clarcq, Whaley 2012
Teachers of every content area are being called to increase the reading abilities of their students. For the last several years, a number of language teachers have been helping students to become better readers with Embedded Reading. What is an embedded reading? An embedded reading is a series of carefully scaffolded versions of one critical text. Each new version has the previous version “embedded” within it. These scaffolded versions are designed in order to ensure that every version is comprehensible to the reader, and to become more detailed with each new version of the text. The simplest text version is called the base reading. The quality of the base reading is very important. This reading, and every subsequent version of it, is designed to be totally comprehensible to the reader. The subsequent versions not only add more detailed information to the reader, but also to offer the information using more challenging vocabulary and structures. By using each of the leveled texts in a slightly different way, the teacher can help the reader to increase reading skills, to become more confident and to acquire more knowledge about a particular topic. © Clarcq, Whaley 2012
In the next slide, the text has been reduced to the four basic ideas included in the text. Only the main ideas remain. This is referred to as the “base reading. The base reading is an outline, and it contains key information and/or key language structures that the teacher has identified. © Clarcq, Whaley 2012
An embedded reading is several versions of one text. Each version becomes more detailed. Every version is comprehensible to the reader. Each new version has the previous version “embedded” within it. © Clarcq, Whaley 2012
The following slide is a visual to keep in mind as we continue. Each new version of the text will have the base version, and each subsequent version, “embedded” within it. © Clarcq, Whaley 2012
A A A A A Base reading Version 2 Version 3Version 4
Again, here is the base reading: An embedded reading is several versions of one text. Each version becomes more detailed. Every version is comprehensible to the reader. Each new version has the previous version “embedded” within it. © Clarcq, Whaley 2012
Note that by putting the base reading in paragraph form, it already appears to be more challenging: An embedded reading is several versions of one text. Each version becomes more detailed. Every version is comprehensible to the reader. Each new version has the previous version “embedded” within it. Emerging readers often need practice making the transition from reading a “list” to reading a paragraph. © Clarcq, Whaley 2012
The following version goes back to a bulleted, or list, format. It also contains new structures and some new information. What is an embedded reading? An embedded reading is a series of scaffolded versions of one text. The scaffolded levels become more detailed with each new version. Each new version has the previous version “embedded” within it. Every version is comprehensible to the reader. © Clarcq, Whaley 2012
Again, note how it appears to be more challenging when written in paragraph form: What is an embedded reading? An embedded reading is a series of scaffolded versions of one text. The scaffolded levels become more detailed with each new version. Each new version has the previous version “embedded” within it. Every version is comprehensible to the reader. © Clarcq, Whaley 2012
“Scaffolded” refers to the way that a new format, structures and/or vocabulary are inserted into each new version. These new pieces strengthen the readers’ understanding of the text and allow the readers’ to continue on to more difficult or complicated texts. © Clarcq, Whaley 2012
Let’s take a look at the next scaffolded versions of the text: Note the changes that have been made and the additional information that has been inserted for the reader. © Clarcq, Whaley 2012
Language Teachers Helping Students with Embedded Reading. What is an embedded reading? An embedded reading is a series of scaffolded versions of one text. Each new version has the previous version “embedded” within it. This is done to ensure that every version is comprehensible to the reader. These scaffolded levels become more detailed with each new version. The simplest text version is called the base reading. This reading is designed to contain key information. It may also include key structures of the language. © Clarcq, Whaley 2012
For the last several years, language teachers have been helping students to become better readers with Embedded Reading. What is an embedded reading? An embedded reading is a series of scaffolded versions of one critical text. Each new version has the previous version “embedded” within it. The versions are scaffolded in order to ensure that every version is comprehensible to the reader. These scaffolded levels are designed to become more detailed with each new version. The simplest text version is called the base reading. This reading, and every subsequent version of it, is designed to be totally comprehensible to the reader. The subsequent versions not only add more detailed information to the reader, but also offer the information using more challenging vocabulary and structures.. © Clarcq, Whaley 2012
Teachers of every content area are being called to increase the reading abilities of their students. For the last several years, a number of language teachers have been helping students to become better readers with Embedded Reading. What is an embedded reading? An embedded reading is a series of carefully scaffolded versions of one critical text. Each new version has the previous version “embedded” within it. These scaffolded versions are designed in order to ensure that every version is comprehensible to the reader, and to become more detailed with each new version of the text. The simplest text version is called the base reading. The quality of the base reading is very important. This reading, and every subsequent version of it, is designed to be totally comprehensible to the reader. The subsequent versions not only add more detailed information to the reader, but also to offer the information using more challenging vocabulary and structures. By using each of the leveled texts in a slightly different way, the teacher can help the reader to increase reading skills, to become more confident and to acquire more knowledge about a particular topic. © Clarcq, Whaley 2012
It is important, when using Embedded Reading, to involve the students in a variety of activities. In this way, the students will approach each new version with a different purpose and perspective. In addition, not every student needs to advance through each level. Because the information is included from the beginning, each student will comprehend and acquire the most crucial information. This allows the teacher to differentiate with every reading. © Clarcq, Whaley 2012
Creating and using embedded readings may take some practice, but don’t wait until you have “perfected” the skill! Students will benefit from your knowledge, expertise AND your practice. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us: