Reading
Reading to Understand Strategies (Cause and Effect)
Syllable division
What are syllable divisions?
If this is the case, the first syllable division rule that we try is V/CV (dividing up the word BEFORE the consonant). For example, in the word “robot,” we divide up the word before the b. This creates an open syllable, “ro,” that ends in a vowel. As a result, the o in that syllable is a long o
Part 1
Syllable division: CVC-CVC
Underline the vowels
helmet (find the middle point and split the word) hel/met
Syllable division: open or closed syllables
Hi (Open) = Says its letter name Hit (Close)=Vowel makes a short sound.
no not
me men
Part 2
Syllable division: doublets
Underline the vowels
lesson (find the middle point and split the word) les/son
Part 3
Syllable Division: vowel-r
Together a vowel and an -r make one sound. This means they should not be split apart.
target tar/get
Part 4
Syllable Division: vowel team
vowel team is where two vowels join together to make one sound. A vowel team should not be split.
Underline the vowels
contain (split the middle) con/tain
Part 5
Syllable division: open syllables
Split open syllables. To split a word into syllables, underline the vowels and divide the work between them.
unit. (split apart, two choices, but most words split on the side of the first vowel.)
unit.
a. u/nit b. un/it (a is correct)
medal
a. me/dal b. med/al (b is correct)
Part 6
Syllable division: Magic e
Underline the vowels and split apart. As you know the magic e at the end is silent and the vowel that is one letter to the left becomes a long vowel. You do not need to underline the e at the end.
escape es/cap
Syllable division: -le count back 3
-le comes at the end of a word which is called a word tail.
-le sounds like ul. Count back 3 letters from e and spilt apart
tremble trem/b(1) l (2) e(3) trem/ble
(notice the first vowel in trem is closed so this means it's a short vowel sound.)
cable ca/b(1) l (2) e(3) ca/ble
(notice the first vowel in ca is open so this means it's a long vowel sound.)
Venn diagram- A Venn diagram is an illustration that uses circles to show the relationships among things or finite groups of things. Circles that overlap have a commonality while circles that do not overlap do not share those traits. Venn diagrams help to visually represent the similarities and differences between two concepts.
Use the “SWBST” Strategy
The “Somebody Wanted But So Then” exercise provides a framework for summarizing a story by identifying and describing key story elements. Using a table like the one below, have students fill in each box with a brief summary from the story. For older students, use more elements and increase the level of detail required for each element.
Fill your graphic organizer while you read your story. You must turn in a SWBST organizer every time you read a book.
There are three main reasons or purposes for writing.
1. Writing to Entertain
The primary purpose of texts that are written to entertain is to amuse readers. This does not mean that the text must be happy; the text could be a tragedy, but the main reason for writing the text is to amuse readers.
Examples of Texts that Are Written to Entertain:
Stories
Poems
Dramas
Songs
2. Writing to Inform
The primary purpose of texts that are written to inform is to enlighten the reader or provide the reader with information about a topic.
Examples of Texts That Are Written to Inform
Expository Essays or Articles
Instructions or Directions
Encyclopedias or Other Reference Texts
3. Writing to Persuade
In a text that is written to persuade, the author’s primary purpose is to compel readers to take action, convince them of an idea through argument, or to reaffirm their existing beliefs.
Examples of Texts That Are Written to Persuade
Advertisements
Campaign Speeches
Persuasive Letters or Notes
Text Feature
The text feature walk guides students in the reading of text features in order to access prior knowledge, make connections, and set a purpose for reading expository text. Results from a pilot study illustrate the benefits of using the strategy, and practical suggestions for implementation are offered.
Reading Strategies Fan
Reading Strategy Task Cards