1. Have you ever been taught to read a textbook?
Entry Task
Have you ever been taught to read a textbook?
If so, what have you been taught to do?
If not, what do you normally do as you read a textbook?

2. Binder & Homework Check
Have Out:
Binder with Science Section
Class Description Signed by Parent

3. How to Read a Textbook
Adapted from “Active Reading: Comprehension & Rate”
By Dartmouth Academic Skills Center
AND
“Active Reading Strategies”
By the McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning

4. SQ3R Method
Survey Question Read Recall Review

5. SQ3R Method
Practice as we Learn Biology: Exploring Life Ch1 Section 1.1 Pages 4-6

6. On Notebook Paper:
Title the Page: Section 1.1 Reading Notes

7. Survey Read topic and sub-topic headings
Examine pictures & graphs, read descriptions of these items
Read Concept Check Questions
Read End of Chapter Summaries (if applicable)
Identify and define unfamiliar terms

8. Identify and define unfamiliar terms.
Expectation: Bold terms have specific scientific meanings Define every bold term from the reading in your reading notes using the scientific definition found in the sentences around the term

9. Questions Write out headings as questions
Ex: “Biology explores life from the global to the microscopic scale” could become “What do we see when biology explores life from the global to the microscopic scale?” OR
“The Biosphere” could become “What is included in the biosphere?” or “What can we learn from the biosphere?”
Answer these questions as you read!
The answers to these questions become part of your reading notes!!! And help you stay focused during your reading.

10. Read Read with alertness to answer the questions
Write notes in your own words under each question (more on this in a moment)
Take a minimum number of notes (less is more!)

11. Strategies for note taking
Use at least ONE of these strategies as you read

12. Write out headings as questions
Answer these questions as you read!
My favorite strategy for the Sciences

13. Put down your highlighter
Every time you feel the urge to highlight something, write instead:
Summarize the text
Ask questions
Give assent
Protest vehemently
Write down key words to help you recall where important points are discussed
The urge to highlight is often a good sign that something you just read is important. Pay attention to that urge!

14. Make outlines, flow charts or diagrams
These will help you to map and understand ideas visually
Another favorite strategy for the Sciences

15. Read each paragraph then…
Determine “what it says” and “what it does”
Answer “what it says” in only 1 sentence
To answer “what it does,” describe the paragraph’s purpose in the text. For example:
Provides evidence for the author’s first claim
Introduces an opposing view
A great strategy for LA / Social Studies

16. Write a summary of an essay or chapter in your own words
Less than a page
Capture the essential ideas and 1 or two key examples
A GREAT strategy for practicing
Recall

17. Recall This step is the most important. No book or notes:
mentally review in your own words the main points of the material
immediately after completing reading
This step is the most important.
Checks understanding
Forces you to process the material
Identifies what you do not understand/ remeber

18. Review
Look at your questions, notes, and book to see how well you did Recall
Observe the points stated incorrectly or omitted
Fix in your mind the logical sequence of the entire idea
Finish with a mental picture of the whole

19. Additional Review Strategies

20. Write your own exam question based on the reading

21. Teach what you have learned to someone else
Teaching is one of the most effective ways to learn
Transfers information from short-term to long-term memory
Quickly reveals what you do and do not understand

22. More time should be spent on recall than on reading
SQ3R Method
More time should be spent on recall than on reading

23. Summary Survey Text Questions Read Recall Review from topic headings
Take notes (see strategies for ideas)
Recall
Immediately think about what you read
Review
Check your recall against your notes.
Correct mistakes

24. Unifying Theme Project

25. Homework: Read Chapter 1 (2-19) reading notes as evidence
Answer all Concept Check Questions (1.1, 1.2, 1.3)
Unifying Theme Project

26. What are you most excited to learn about this year in Biology?
Exit Task
What are you most excited to learn about this year in Biology?