How to use iRead method in your historical investigations Analyzing iREAD How to use iRead method in your historical investigations

What is IREAD? iRead is a procedure that can help you work methodically, or systematically. identify Read Examine Assess Determine Designed to help you answer the Essential Question!

“i” is for Identify Identify the who, what, when, where, why, how You should always begin reading by looking for information that’s related to the Essential Question. Know the following: The author The title or headings Date of text Important vocabulary, etc…

But how do you IDENTIFY? Simple: Annotate! Example: Put a square around key terms Star a Main Purpose Add a question mark next to a question you might have A plus sign next to ideas you agree with A negative next to what you don’t agree with Underline potential citations

“R” is for Read! Reading is not looking! Successful students follow a reading procedure and look for information using a method of operation: Don’t just begin reading “cold”. Understand a little bit about the text before you start. Review visuals, headings, titles, captions, and any other images surrounding the text. You can also “Read” pictures and symbols: What are the colors? What is their the meaning? Why do you think these images were used?

“R” - Active reading means you’re actively trying to find something… What are the Main ideas? What’s being described? (And try to visualize it!) How does this article relate to the Essential Question? If you’re NOT making PREDICTIONS, you’ll have a really hard time connecting to the text If you’re NOT willing to QUESTION what you’re reading, you’re just LOOKING at the text. That’s not active!

“E” is for Examine Examine the author for authenticity Ask yourself: Why did the author write this piece? Where was it written? When did he or she write the text? What’s the tone: Serious? Funny? Sarcastic? What do you think is the author’s motivation? Is there any bias or persuasion being used? How do you think the author would respond to the question?

“A” is for Assess Assess the influences on the work What events surround the text or the events in the text? How might the time and place have influenced the text? Who might’ve influenced the writing or inspired the author?

“D” is for Determine Determine the quality of the writing: it’s ideas, and its author. How does the author support his or her ideas? Are they using citations? Statistics? Research? What facts are presented? Where do the facts come from? Are these facts reliable? Is there a clear argument being presented? How does this new information effect what you already know?

Steps to performing iRead Understand the Essential Question Don’t begin “cold”! Begin by Identifying the information around the text. Question and predict what the text will say. Read visuals and of course the text. Look up vocab words! Examine the author. Look for bias and persuasion. Assess the influences. What’s REALLY going on? Determine if you believe the author. Do you agree or disagree with the author?