Reading Strategies
Reading Strategies for Unknown Words
- Skip the difficult word, read on to end of sentence or paragraph. Go back to beginning of sentence and try again.
- Read on. Reread inserting the beginning sound of the unknown word.
- Substitute a word that makes sense.
- Look for a known chunk or small word.
- Look for picture clues
- Link to prior knowledge
- Predict adn anticipate what could come next.
- Check:
- Does it sound right? Does it make sense?
- Does it loook right?
- Write words you can't figure out and need to know on Post its.
- Read the passage several times for fluency and meaning.
The International Reading Association released these comprehension strategies for use in the content area subjects. The strategies need to be used on a daily basis by students in each subject for success in school.
Comprehension Instruction in Content Area Classes by: Paul Neufeld
Research-supported comprehension strategies, including:
· Question asking and answering--Ask questions in class, ask classmates about the material, write down questions as you read, find answers in the text.
· Clarifying a purpose for reading--Ask yourself--Why is reading about this topic important/relevant to my education/future?
· Activating relevant prior knowledge--What do you already know about this topic?
· Making predictions about text : Look at the pictures, captions, bold faced words--What do you think the chapter will be about?
· Creating summaries (oral, written, and visual)
· Monitoring comprehension: Stop and ask yourself: Did I understand what I just read? Did it make sense? If not, reread the chapter/story.
Spelling Strategies
Spelling Study Strategy
- Look at the word you want to learn. Say the word.
- Cover the word. See the work in your mind. You may want to close your eyes.
- Write the word. Check your spelling.
Taking a Self-Test
- Look quickly at the first word on your list.
- Cover the word.
- Write the word on a piece of scrap paper.
- Do this for each word on your list.
- Use your spelling list to check your test.
- Write the correct spelling next to any word you did not spell correctly.
Taking a Practice Test
- Find a partner.
- Give your partner your spelling list.
- Ask your partner to tell you if he or she cannot read any words on your list. Say the word for your partner.
- Ask your partner to read all of the words on your list out loud, one at a time.
- Write each word on a piece of scrap paper.
- Use your spelling list to correct spelling to any word you did not spell correctly.
Fluency
Reading Fluency
Reading Fluency is an integral part of becoming a proficient reader. Students need to practice reading aloud and silently for a minimum of 30 minutes per day. Students that struggle with reading need to practice a minimum of 45 minutes to one hour a day.
Fluency involves:
Accuracy---reading the words correctly on the page
Rate--how fast the student reads the words
Students can practice their fluency ona daily basis at home or in school.
STUDENTS!!
Use the following activity to increase your fluency and improve your reading!
Materials
1. Timer
2. 2 copies of text
Activity
1. Set the timer to one minute
2. The student reads a selected piece of text for one minute while another person follows along with their copy of the selected text.
3. After one minute the student stops reading.
4. The person following the reading counts how many words the student read and how many errors were made. The person writes it down.
5. The reader reads the same text 2 more times
6. The person following the text continues to write down how many words were read and how many errors were made.
7. The student must attempt to increase the number of words read and decrease the number of errors made with each timed reading.
Time Management
Management of Time
1. Write down homework assignments in your student planner. Time spent calling a friend for the assignment is less time spent on creating quality work.2
2.. Look at your student planner prior to leaving school to make sure you have all the materials to complete homework assignments. Running back to the school to pick up materials creates loss of time working on the homework.
3. Read your student planner when you get home and complete the most challenging homework first!
4. When you are given two days to complete a homework assignment, DON'T WAIT until the last minute to complete it. Break up the assignment into 2 parts:
For example: You are given 10 vocab sentences to write on Monday.
The sentences are due on Wednesday.
Write 5 sentences Monday night.
Write 5 sentences Tuesday night.
Pass in the assignment Wednesday.
This will help to manage you time because you are breaking up the homework assignments into chunks.
5. Pack your backpack immediately after completing assignments. Then you know that all your hard work is ready to go to school the next day.
6. Keep papers and materials organized. The less time spent looking for items, the more time can be spent on getting things done.
7. Procrastination only leads to stress. Be sure to follow the timelines your teacher gives you for your assignments and follow them!
Good Luck!
5 WAYS TO PREPARE FOR TESTS
1.Find a quiet place to study free of distractions.
2. Ask for extra help from teachers if needed. Study groups with your classmates can be helpful.
3. Take tests seriously by studying a few days in advance of the test day. Studying each night gives you the opportunity to review all the information that will be on the test a little at a time. You will be more likely to learn the material and be able to apply it on the test and in class. Cramming in all the studying in one night can lead to anxiety and making mistakes on the test. Study early!
4. Complete homework and class assignments.
5. Take notes in class and ask questions.
6. Use the test study guide that the teacher may provide so you don't take time studying extra information.
