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ENGAGE:
A first read of a text is an opportunity for students to read with a simple purpose in mind: to determine the gist. The gist is essentially the main idea, or the “who” and “what” of a text. Because getting the gist asks students to identify the main idea, a pre-reading activity is needed to provide the background and foundation for this reading. Additionally, in the first read, educators need to emphasize to students that extrapolating all the details is not the point. Getting the gist is more about understanding the big picture of the reading rather than the minute details and implications. Future readings will allow for deeper comprehension strategies. This instructional strategy helps readers learn to determine the main idea of a text as they read.
PREPARATION:
Choose an appropriate text and chunk the sections based on the reading purpose.
Create individual copies of the selected text for students.
Lead students through a pre-reading exercise to give them a foundation for the topic and prepare them for reading.
Make copies of Student Resource: Reading for the Gist Template.
STEPS:
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE READING: Remind students about the difference between active and passive reading. Passive readers pass over the words without really thinking about what they mean, while active readers are thinking about the text and actively working to construct meaning.
DISTRIBUTE COPIES: Distribute copies of Student Resource: Reading for the Gist Template and have students complete the top portion.
WALK THROUGH TEMPLATE: Walk students through the template and explain that after they read the text independently, they will be asked to record what they recall about the 5 W’s (who, what, where, when, why) and the H (how). Emphasize that remembering everything is not the goal. Getting the gist is about understanding the “big picture” of the reading.
STUDENTS ACTIVELY READ: Instruct students to actively read the text.
RECORD: After providing time to read, have students record what they remember.
PAIR UP: Pair up students or put them into small groups to talk through what they got from their first read. Allow students to add missing information to their templates.
REVIEW 5 W'S & H: Review the 5 W’s and the H aloud.
REVIEW RECORDING: Ask students to review their recordings and write a sentence or two that sums up the gist of the text.
VARIATIONS:
For longer text selections, educators can have students complete the activity for chunks of text before determining the overall gist.
For less experienced readers, educators should walk students through this instructional practice by conducting a Think-Aloud. Continued practice with reading for the gist will eventually lead to students be able to explicate the author’s main point(s) on the first read without using a template.
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