Academic Strategies

Reading Strategies

  • Predict
    • What do you think will happen in the text?
    • Before reading, use the title and illustrations to make predictions.
    • During reading, stop and predict what you think will happen next.
    • After reading, determine if your predictions were correct.
  • Visualize:
    • Can you see parts of the story in your mind?
    • Organize the details in your mind.
    • Make a mental movie.
  • Identify:
    • What is the authorś purpose?
    • Determine which events or details are the most important.
    • Identify the main idea and themes.
  • Infer:
    • What are the underlying messages of the text?
    • Fill in the gaps by combining what you know with what you have read.
    • Draw conclusions.
  • Evaluate:
    • What do you think about the text?
    • Evaluate all of the information that you have gathered.
    • Think about the ¨big picture.¨
    • Form opinions about the text.
  • Question:
    • What questions do you have about the text?
    • Think about what else you want to know.
    • Question parts of the text that are unclear or do not make sense.
    • Reread the text to find answers to your questions.

*These reading strategies are from Carson-Dellosa Education TM.


Notice and Note Signposts

When we read, we look for "signposts". These give us clues about the characters and plot. They help us make inferences, predictions, and conclusions. When we notice these, we should stop and ask ourselves why this signpost is important.

1. Aha Moment: When a character finally figures something out, ask how might this change things? May hint towards conflict or theme.

2. Words of the Wiser: When an older and wiser character gives another character advice, ask what is the life lesson and how might it change the character. May hint towards theme.

3. Contrast and Contradiction: When a character does something that is the opposite of what he/she has been saying or doing, ask why is the character doing that? May hint towards a conflict or help you make a prediction/inference.

4. Memory Moment: When the author interrupts the story to tell you a memory, ask why might this memory be important? May hint towards theme or conflict.

5. Again and Again: When a word, phrase, object, or situation is mentioned over and over, ask why does this keep showing up? May hint towards theme or conflict.

6. Tough Questions: When a character asks himself a really difficult question, ask what does this question make me wonder about? May hint towards conflict or help make predictions.


*These reading strategies are from Notice and Note by Kylene Beers and Robert E. Probst.

Annotation Symbols

When we read, we should annotate (or mark up) the text. This helps us concentrate and remember more of the material. See the "Annotate Your Reading" presentation to the right for the symbols we will use.


--------->

Annotate Your Reading Posters

Advocacy

Advocacy is an important skill for all students. We will work on being able to ask questions, seeking help, and any other situation where advocacy is needed.

Please review the advocacy resources below that we utilize in the classroom.

Copy of advocacy checklist 1
Advocating Sentences
Copy of advocacy strategies 2
Copy of problem solving