Strategies


 * Reading Strategies**

Reading is not just pronouncing words—it requires understanding. Most experienced readers use a variety of strategies to understand text. The following strategies can help readers understand any text in any subject. Make Predictions Predictions encourage active reading and keep readers interested, whether or not the predictions are correct. Incorrect predictions can signal a misunderstanding that needs to be revisited. To make predictions: Visualize Many people think visually, using shapes, spatial relationships, movement, and colors, and can benefit greatly from this strategy. To help you visualize: Ask and Answer Questions Form your own questions. This can help you to recognize confusion and encourages active learning. To form questions: Retell and Summarize Relating the text in your own words clears up language issues. Retelling challenges you to aim for complete retention (ability to remember). Summarization allows you to see the difference between main ideas and minor details. To help you summarize: Connect the Text to Life Experiences, Other Texts, or Prior Knowledge Connecting a text to your experiences and knowledge helps you to personalize the information. It also helps you remember information when you link it to you life. When making connections, consider the following questions:
 * Look at the pictures, table of contents, chapter headings, maps, diagrams, and features. What subjects are in the book?
 * Write down predictions about the text. During reading, look for words or phrases from those predictions.
 * While reading, revise the predictions or make new ones.
 * Imagine a fiction story taking place as if it were a movie. Imagine the characters' features. Picture the plot in time and space.
 * Imagine processes and explanations happening visually. Use nouns, verbs, and adjectives to create pictures, diagrams, or other mental images.
 * Use graphic organizers to lay out information. Make sketches or diagrams on scrap paper.
 * Before reading, think about the subject based on the title, chapter heads, and visual information. Make note of anything you are curious about.
 * While reading, pause and write down any questions. Be sure to ask questions if there is confusion.
 * Look for the answers while reading. Pause and write down the answers.
 * Were all the questions answered? Could the answers come from other sources?
 * During reading, note the main ideas or events. Put a check mark in the book or write a note to point out a main idea.
 * At the ends of chapters or sections, review the information or story. Note main ideas or events and the details that support them.
 * After reading, retell or summarize the text. Focus on the important points, and support them with relevant details.
 * Refer to the book to check the retelling or summarization.
 * Is the subject familiar? Do the characters resemble familiar people? Have you learned about the concept from school, home, or other experiences?
 * Is the style or genre familiar? Does it resemble other texts? Television shows, movies, and games can be considered "texts."
 * Write down similarities between the current text and experiences, knowledge, or other texts.