1. Reading College Textbooks
SQ4R

2. Benefits of Active Reading
As an active reader, you will:
Be less likely to slip into automatic pilot
Be using powerful multisensory strategies
Increase your reading comprehension
Know how to select effective strategies for different kinds of materials
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3. Essential Strategies for Textbook Reading
Begin with a clear intention to understand what you read.
Use an organized system for reading textbook chapters.
Be inquisitive.
Manage your textbook reading time effectively.
Use spaced practice or spaced studying.
Relate new information to existing information in your long-term memory
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4. Recreational (Not in class)
Four Levels of Reading
Recreational (Not in class)
Overview
Thorough
Comparative
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5. Surveying to Get an Overview
Surveying is the process of previewing or skimming through information to get an overview or a big picture of the content before you begin thorough reading.
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6. Surveying to Get an Overview (Cont)
Activates existing working memory
Sets the stage to create new associations
Enhances motivation and interest
Breaks inertia or tendency to procrastinate
Boosts confidence
Provides information about length and difficulty of the reading material
Helps you set realistic goals and manage your time
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7. Surveying a Textbook
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8. Surveying a Chapter
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9. Formulating Questions
Formulating questions is an active reading strategy that provides you with a purpose for reading, elevates your curiosity, increases comprehension, and helps maintain a focus.
The questions and then the answers create memory cues or associations to recall information later.
Write questions before you read.
Write questions as you read.
Write questions after you read.
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10. The Steps of SQ4R
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11. The Steps of SQ4R (Cont)
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12. Reading History Textbooks
Textbooks involve sequence of events in a narrative form.
Create timelines to show the sequence of events.
Look for patterns and trends, cause and effect relationships, and major shifts in political, social, and cultural directions.
Create visual images and movies in your mind.
Memorize specific facts (names, dates, treaties, wars, and definitions).
Read other accounts of the same events for alternative perspectives.
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13. An Introduction to WHAP Reading
Read the Introduction to WHAP using the SQ4R method
We will cover one step at a time
Class time will be provided for this activity
The majority of Future reading will be done individually at home
A reading quiz will follow this activity on Tuesday, August 25th.
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14. The Steps of SQ4R
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15. Reading Composition Textbooks
Textbooks contain declarative knowledge and procedural knowledge.
Study examples carefully.
Learn the terminology.
Learn the writing steps.
Plan to revise drafts several times.
Analyze your work, proofread, and apply writing elements presented in the textbook.
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16. Reading Literature Textbooks
Literature include short stories, essays, plays, poetry, and novels
Literature involves imaginative, figurative language to convey emotional experiences.
Read through completely to get an overview and the emotional impact.
After uninterrupted reading, read thoroughly a second time.
Look for figurative language (symbols, images, word usage).
Examine ways events unfold, characters develop, and details weave together to develop the plot.
Create visual images and movies in your mind.
Critique the writing; support your opinion with specific details.
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17. Reading Math Textbooks
Math textbooks include factual information (declarative knowledge) and theorems, formulas, equations, and problem-solving steps (procedural knowledge).
Math textbooks are based on sequential skills and understanding.
Look for common patterns:
concept defined
concept presented as an equation
concept expressed in symbols or algebraic notation
applications.
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18. Reading Math Textbooks (Cont)
Learn the language of symbols.
Memorize formulas, terminology, and steps.
Study examples of equations and problem-solving steps.
Rework problems several times to increase speed and accuracy.
Focus on individual parts of a problem:
what is given
what you need to find
what steps you need to use to solve the problem.
Make charts, tables, diagrams, or pictures to help solve problems.
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19. Reading Science Textbooks
Science textbooks include biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, environmental studies, and physics.
Science textbooks often use inductive arguments.
Understanding involves hands-on, laboratory demonstrations, experiments, and observations.
Science textbooks use declarative and procedural knowledge.
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20. Reading Science Textbooks (Cont)
Begin with overview reading; then use thorough reading.
Read and examine examples.
Memorize terminology and be able to define terms.
Create mental images for memory cues.
Explain information (recite).
Study diagrams and charts carefully.
Associate information to larger concepts and schemas.
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21. Reading Social Science Textbooks
Social science textbooks include anthropology, business, counseling, criminal justice, economics, education, ethnic studies, finance, history, law, marketing, philosophy, political science, psychology, public administration, sociology, and women's studies.
Memorize terminology; be able to define and give examples.
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22. Reading Social Science Textbooks (Cont)
Look for major concepts, patterns, trends, cause- effect relationships, details to support main points, and relationships among different groups.
Examine and interpret all visual materials.
Create visual materials.
Personalize the information.
Use headings and subheadings to outline the chapter.
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