1. Determining Importance
Taken from: 7 Keys to Comprehension
By: Susan Zimmermann & Chryse
Presented By: Myrja Fuller

2. The Role of Determining Importance
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3. Determining Importance has do with knowing why you’re reading and then making decisions about which information or ideas are most critical to understanding the overall meaning of the piece.

4. Why are you reading?
1. It's fun.
2. I learn a lot.
3. It is relaxing.

5. Know your purpose for reading.
You might read to escape, laugh, learn, answering gnawing questions, getting ready for a presentation, finishing a homework assignment, etc.
Your purpose for reading affects how carefully you read and has an impact on what you determine is important.

6. Determining What is Important
In nonfiction, including textbooks, the layout provides critical tips for identifying what is important.

7. Determining what is important
In nonfiction, pay attention to Titles, Pictures with Captions, Quotations, Timelines, Graphs, and Maps.
They give VALUABLE information about what’s important!
Preread some factual material today by paying attention to these hints.
heading/ title
timeline
caption
map
graph

8. Determining what is important
In nonfiction, pay attention to Titles, Pictures with Captions, Quotations, Timelines, Graphs, and Maps.
They give VALUABLE information about what’s important!
Preread some factual material today by paying attention to these hints.
heading/ title
caption

9. Determining what is important
In nonfiction, pay attention to Titles, Pictures with Captions, Quotations, Timelines, Graphs, and Maps.
They give VALUABLE information about what’s important!
Preread some factual material today by paying attention to these hints.
timeline

10. Determining what is important
In nonfiction, pay attention to Titles, Pictures with Captions, Quotations, Timelines, Graphs, and Maps.
They give VALUABLE information about what’s important!
Preread some factual material today by paying attention to these hints.
graph

11. Determining what is important
In nonfiction, pay attention to Titles, Pictures with Captions, Quotations, Timelines, Graphs, and Maps.
They give VALUABLE information about what’s important!
Preread some factual material today by paying attention to these hints.
map

12. Text Features
Text features are road signs for the reader. They point to what’s important.
Reread!
Important
Facts

13. Text Features
Table of Contents: Read the titles of the different chapters. Which topics interest you? You may want to read those chapters first.
You may want to look at the pictures first. The pictures might help you think of the questions you have.

14. Text Features
Pictures: Often times, the pictures tell us the most important information on a page, and the caption further highlights it.
heading/ title
caption

15. Text Features
Glossary: When reading nonfiction, don’t forget to read the glossary first to find out what the important words mean.

16. Text Features
Index: The index is found in the back of a nonfiction book. Knowing how to use an index will help you find specific information quickly.

17. Text Features Boldfacing Ideas These features alert you to importance:
Boxing Information
Boldfacing Ideas
Labeling Pictures

18. Text Features
Authors leave clues as to what they think is important to:
remember. Phrases like “ As a result” and “In summary” alert you to watch for essential information.

19. What Kids Say

20. What Kids Say

21. What Kids Say

22. What Kids Say

23. Books for Determining Importance

24. Koala Lou, Mem Fox

25. Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf, Lois Ehlert

26. El Chino, Allen Say

27. Sarah, Plain, and Tall, Patricia MacLachlan

28. Missing May, Cynthia Rylant

29. Lewis and Clark: Explorers of the American West, Steven Kroll

30. Dear Mr. Henshaw, Beverly Cleary

31. A Boy at War: A Novel of Pearl Harbor, Harry Mazer

32. Hatchet, Gary Paulsen