TAKS Steps to Reading Success

Preview each selection     Preview each selection. Read the first paragraph and the last paragraph, titles, subtitles, pictures, etc. Key words, bold print, italicized words, CAPITAL LETTERS and punctuation are all used to enhance understanding.

Read All Directions

because you are fresher.   First, do the selection which looks the least interesting because you are fresher.

Do the paired selections next.

Read the selection carefully and pause after each paragraph to respond to the text. Think about the following strategies:  Make a prediction Make a connection Visualize Retell Ask a question Evaluate

 Make a Prediction!

Make a Prediction I anticipate what’s coming next. Based on what I’ve read, I expect certain new events to occur. When an event doesn’t match a prediction, I rethink and revise my thinking.

Make a Connection!

Make a Connection Make a connection between the text and my life my knowledge of the world another text

Visualize!

Visualize I consciously create images in my head helping me to make sense of what the words are saying. I can use MOVIES, TELEVISION, and LIFE to help me picture what is happening. Images help me make a video in my head. If I can “see it,” I often understand it.

Retell!

Retell What I’ve Read Asking “What have I just read?” refreshes my memory and prepares me to read the next part . Writing down what I’ve read allows me to clarify my thinking.

Ask a Question!

Ask a Question and Try to Answer It I ask myself questions when I read. Sometimes these questions are answered directly in the text and meaning is clarified. They ask “who,” “what,” “when” and “where.” Right There

Ask a Question and Try to Answer It Other times, answers to my questions aren’t found in the text. These are pondering questions that don’t always have simple answers. They ask “how” and “why.” In these cases, I am forced to go beyond the words to find the answer. Author and Me

Evaluate!

Evaluate Form opinions about what you read, both while you’re reading and after you’ve finished. Develop your own ideas about characters and events.

What Else Can I Do?

Read each question carefully. Underline or highlight the “clue” words in the question.

Answer from the point of view of the author writing the selection.

Use CLUES AND EVIDENCE from the passage when answering the question.

circling Before any answer, read the question again and then the answer to see if it sounds right and makes sense based on what you read. Prove your answer with evidence from the text.

GO BACK AND REREAD!! YOU HAVE

Stop and Think Stop and think about what I’ve already read. I connect newly acquired knowledge with information I already have. STOPPING AND THINKING gives me time to synthesize new information.

single line through the answers you think are .            Use the process of elimination; make a single line through the answers you think are .

Make an educated guess based on clues and evidence in the passage.

Circle Bubble Check