Reading Strategies
Reading is a process, not an event. In order to read effectively, students must actively engage in the reading process. Effective readers use a variety of strategies before, during, and after reading that help them to critically analyse the text they are reading. The following power point and posters outline some of the strategies that effective readers use.
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Reading Strategies and Graphic Organizers
Really great readers take notes, ask questions, and make connections before, during, and after reading. Sometimes this can be done in the margins of a text. The notes a reader makes in the margins of a text are called annotations.
However, it is not always possible to write on the texts we use for school, and sometimes connections within and without of a text are not always clear when using annotations. Also, some students are visual learners and do not benefit from the use of in-text citations. For these students the visual organization of a chart is very helpful to their understanding of a text. Here are some graphic organizers you can use to help you think about the texts you are reading.
However, it is not always possible to write on the texts we use for school, and sometimes connections within and without of a text are not always clear when using annotations. Also, some students are visual learners and do not benefit from the use of in-text citations. For these students the visual organization of a chart is very helpful to their understanding of a text. Here are some graphic organizers you can use to help you think about the texts you are reading.
Pre-Reading Strategies
Even before you begin reading a text, you should be thinking about the text, your purpose in reading, and what prior knowledge you have about the subject. If you have questions or are unsure about the reading in some way, you should record those as well. Posted below are three pre-reading graphic organizers, one for skimming and scanning a text before you read, one for questions you have before, during, and after reading, and one general one for helping you start using pre-reading strategies.
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questions_chart.docx | |
File Size: | 62 kb |
File Type: | docx |
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pre-reading_t-chart.docx | |
File Size: | 154 kb |
File Type: | docx |
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During-Reading Strategies
Think-marks
These handouts can be copied and cut out so that students can write on them and place them in appropriate places throughout a long text like a novel. There is one for questions, one for connections, and one for figurative imagery. Better than sticky tabs: you can write on them, and they even have reminders of what you need to be looking for and what sort of information you should be writing down.
Get creative and make your own! You could make one for characterization, symbolism, irony, or whatever literary or structural device is prevalent in the text you are reading. They would work well for non-fiction readings as well: try making them for major arguments, anecdotal evidence, or helpful diagrams. You could even colour-code them so that you know if the bookmark is for questions or devices just by looking at your book.
These handouts can be copied and cut out so that students can write on them and place them in appropriate places throughout a long text like a novel. There is one for questions, one for connections, and one for figurative imagery. Better than sticky tabs: you can write on them, and they even have reminders of what you need to be looking for and what sort of information you should be writing down.
Get creative and make your own! You could make one for characterization, symbolism, irony, or whatever literary or structural device is prevalent in the text you are reading. They would work well for non-fiction readings as well: try making them for major arguments, anecdotal evidence, or helpful diagrams. You could even colour-code them so that you know if the bookmark is for questions or devices just by looking at your book.
thinkmarks_-_questions.docx | |
File Size: | 128 kb |
File Type: | docx |
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thinkmarks_-_connections.docx | |
File Size: | 84 kb |
File Type: | docx |
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thinkmarks_-_imagery.docx | |
File Size: | 146 kb |
File Type: | docx |
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Double Entry Journal
These are used to help students reading fiction or non-fiction. They can help students focus in on particularly important passages in a text, make personal connections to the reading, and to identify structural and literary devices used to support theme. Don't wait until the end of a long text to use this strategy: these charts should be used during reading to help you make connections within a text as you work your way through complex passages. Also included is an example of a completed Double Entry Journal for a fiction reading.
These are used to help students reading fiction or non-fiction. They can help students focus in on particularly important passages in a text, make personal connections to the reading, and to identify structural and literary devices used to support theme. Don't wait until the end of a long text to use this strategy: these charts should be used during reading to help you make connections within a text as you work your way through complex passages. Also included is an example of a completed Double Entry Journal for a fiction reading.
double_entry_journal.docx | |
File Size: | 14 kb |
File Type: | docx |
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double_entry_journal_-_nonficion.docx | |
File Size: | 14 kb |
File Type: | docx |
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double_entry_journal_example.docx | |
File Size: | 167 kb |
File Type: | docx |
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After-Reading Strategies
Do you have trouble figuring out the theme(s) of a story?
Try this graphic organizer that helps you to see patterns in what you have read. Annotate your text has usual, and then transfer the quotations about character and literary devices that really stood out to you onto this chart. Think your way through the meaning of your chosen quotations and then look for patterns in your thinking. This should help you to understand what the important messages of the text are.
Try this graphic organizer that helps you to see patterns in what you have read. Annotate your text has usual, and then transfer the quotations about character and literary devices that really stood out to you onto this chart. Think your way through the meaning of your chosen quotations and then look for patterns in your thinking. This should help you to understand what the important messages of the text are.
finding_patterns_in_literature.docx | |
File Size: | 14 kb |
File Type: | docx |
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Making Connections to Theme Chart
Used to help students make logical connections between specific quotations from the text and the overall theme of the story. A great way to plan for an literary paragraph.
Used to help students make logical connections between specific quotations from the text and the overall theme of the story. A great way to plan for an literary paragraph.
proving_theme_in_fiction.docx | |
File Size: | 15 kb |
File Type: | docx |
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