Feel free to use this resource for any class you have outside of our English class. All of these are tried and true ways to become better readers.
Partner Retell: In this strategy, you team up with a buddy. Both of you read a passage silently, and then one person becomes the "reteller" while the other becomes the "listener." The reteller spills the beans on the main idea, and the listener can throw in comments or ask questions. The teacher also chips in with the main idea. The reteller digs out two juicy details from the reading that support the main idea and shares them with the listener. And just to keep everyone on their toes, the teacher randomly picks listeners to recap what the reteller spilled.
Multiple Passages: When some concepts or info seem like Mount Everest, teachers can help by giving alternative readings that cover the same stuff but are easier to tackle. They can choose materials with simpler language or cool visuals to help struggling readers. These alternative readings are like a stash of goodies, and students can pick from them to get a better grip on the challenging material.
Reading-Reflection Pauses: Here's a trick to keep your brain from turning into mush during intense reading. You decide on a spot to take a break, like every few sentences or after a couple of minutes. When you reach that spot, hit pause! Take a breather and think about what you just read. If you're confused or have questions, go back and give it another go. This trick helps you stay on top of things and builds up your reading stamina.
Main Idea Sentences: This one's all about the main squeeze of each paragraph. You can either mark the main idea sentence or jot down a quick summary. Grab an index card and write down the main idea on one side. On the other side, come up with a question that the main idea answers. It's like creating your own reading flashcards to review later.
Paragraph Restructuring: Get ready to flip the script on paragraphs! For each one, find or create a main idea sentence. Now, when you give it a second read, start with that main idea sentence, no matter where it pops up in the paragraph. Then read the rest and think about how it all fits together. This way, you're training your brain to focus on the main point.
Summarizing Readings: Think of this as the highlight reel of your reading adventures. Take the main ideas and important details and put them into your own words. Get rid of all the extra fluff. Summarizing helps you understand and remember what you read, and the summary itself becomes a handy study tool.
Linking Pronouns: Pronouns can be sneaky little buggers, right? Sometimes they make us lose track of who they're talking about, especially in tough texts. So, let's give them a little circle and make them spill the beans. Circle those pronouns and find their buddies—the nouns they refer to. If you want to go the extra mile, write down the noun next to the pronoun. It's like connecting the dots for a clearer picture.
Vocabulary 'Fix-Up' Skills: Ah, the mystery of unknown words! When you encounter a word you don't know, don't panic. Try these tricks: read the sentence again, check the sentences before and after for clues, look for prefixes or suffixes that might give you a hint, and break the word into syllables to see if there are smaller words hiding inside.
Text Enhancements: Time to jazz up those texts! You can use highlighters to mark important stuff like key vocabulary or main ideas, but don't go crazy with the highlighting. Another cool trick is the 'lasso and rope' technique—circle a word and draw a line to its definition. If you're using a textbook, sticky notes can be your best buds. Stick 'em in as pointers or temporary labels for important parts.
Text Annotation: Let's have a chat with the writer! When you make photocopies of the text, get your pen ready for a conversation. Jot down comments in the margins, like your opinions, questions, or unknown words. It's like making the text your own by having a little chat with it. (10 points extra credit if you've read this far... Ms. Robinson's favorite reading skill is Text Annotation because she likes to add her opinion to what is happening in the text. "DID THAT JUST HAPPENING? WHAT." It's fun. 10/10 would recommend!)