How to Become a Better Reader

Read, Read, Read

• Everyday

• At least 20 minutes a day

• Weekends, Holidays, and Summer

• Read to learn

• Read for pleasure

Improve Your Vocabulary (See Resources)

• Make Flashcards

  1. SAT and ACT Vocabulary Lists

  2. Lexile Vocabulary Lists

  3. Word a Day Apps

Take Notes

• Keep a Reading Journal

• Graphic Organizers

• Jot a few bullet points about what you read during that session.

Learn and Practice Reading Strategies (See videos to the right)

Learn Reading Test Strategies (These will help you with all tests.)

• Read the Questions first and find the important words. What are they really asking?

  1. Clue Words

  2. Qualifier Words (IF, NOT, OR, ALL OF, NONE OF)

  3. Vocabulary type words

Read Different Types of Text - These are different types of reading.

• Different Genres (Fantasy, Realistic Fiction , Historical Fiction, etc.)

• Fiction

• Non-Fiction

• Different Subjects

• Newspapers

• Audiobooks (SORA)

Read in your Comfort Zone (50%)

Read Outside your Comfort Zone (50%)

• Higher Lexile

• Different Subjects or Genres

• More difficult types of texts like classics or books with more complexity. Note that the Lexile may be lower than yours and that's okay if you take the time to process it. (These require you to slow down and think about your reading.)

• When you come to a new word.

  1. Is it important to the meaning or the text?

  2. Try to use context clues to figure out what it could mean.

  3. Lastly, Ask Siri or Alexa for the definition of the word.

Think about your reading

• Ask yourself questions before, during, and after reading.

• Have a silent dialog with yourself while you read.

• Connect what your already know (KWL Chart)

• Discuss what your are reading with a friend, relative, or parent/guardian. Have a reading buddy.

• Make Connections

  1. Draw a Mind Map

  2. Relate what you read to other books, topics, or information.

  3. Apply what you learned/read to something new.

Analyze what you read

• 2. 1. Why is this book important?

     2. What did I learn or feel?

     3. Why are the character's actions important or relevant?

     4. Why did the writer use certain word choices?

     5. How do the character's flaws and strengths affect the theme of the book or their actions?