Informational Texts

Before Reading Preview the text Unit title. Chapter title. Sub headings. First and last paragraph. Bold face terms. Repeated terms. Maps. Charts. Graphs. Diagrams. Pictures. Captions.

Before Reading Activate Prior Knowledge What do I already know about this subject? How do I know it? Book Another class Television Internet

Before Reading Using a highlighter, preview the text and highlight familiar terms, concepts, or ideas.

Before Reading Set a Purpose –What information do I need to know? –What questions do I have about the subject? –Why do I need to know this?

Before Reading Plan to Learn –Write three questions about the text based on your purpose and preview work. –Save these to answer later.

During Reading Read with Purpose (Read the second paragraph or section) –Mark the text Underline main ideas and significant and supporting details Circle key terms and important vocabulary.Think about what a teacher might ask on a test.

During Reading –Ask important questions about what you read: What don’t you get?What don’t you get? What do you get?What do you get? What words don’t you understand?What words don’t you understand? What other questions do you have?What other questions do you have? What do you wonder about as you read?What do you wonder about as you read? Read the next paragraph or section. highlight or underline 2-3 things you don’t understand

Use Fix Up Strategies Slow your rate of reading. Look back over the text for clues Read ahead Use pictures, graphs, etc. for clues Use a dictionary or glossary Read aloud Ask for help

During Reading Clarify your understanding –Ask questions What does this mean? Did I understand what I just read? How is this related to ___ ?

Why Ask Questions? Asking questions helps keep you focused on the text. If your mind wanders, you will not understand. If you run into problems or things you just don’t understand, then you can check yourself with a question.

REMEMBER: You may be using some or all of these strategies already. You just may not know it. However, as you learn to read more complicated materials, you WILL NEED to use these strategies purposefully. SO PRACTICE! Finish actively reading the text using these strategies.

After Reading Pause and Reflect –Return to your three questions. –Answer those now. –Reflect on your understanding about the text before your reading and after the reading.

After Reading Remember and Organize –Skim and scan the text one more time. Make note of: Important ideas. Concepts. Vocabulary Write a summary of the text and paraphrase the main vocabulary in your own words.