Exploros | Reading Articles

Engage

Overview

In this experience, students prepare to read and comprehend nonfiction writing. They learn how to generate questions in advance, so they know what to look for and to deepen their understanding of the content. They practice making predictions about what they will read, then correct or confirm those predictions using a structured approach.

Objectives

Examine the features of a nonfiction text before reading it.
Ask questions and make predictions about text before reading it.
Ask questions and confirm predictions while reading.

Duration

One class period.

Vocabulary Words Used in the Article

suffrage: the right to vote in political elections
servitude: slavery
eloquent: persuasive in speaking or writing
inequity: unfairness or injustice
to rest on one’s laurels: to be satisfied with what one has done, and therefore to stop trying
frivolous: silly
flapper: dancing women

How do you read when you want to learn something? You probably don’t just pick up a book, open it, and start on page 1, while also watching a favorite show or listening to music. When you are reading to learn, you are reading for information. You read actively, with a plan to answer questions and maybe even complete an assignment. In this experience, you will learn a strategy to help you read.

Objectives

Examine the features of a nonfiction text before reading it.
Ask questions and make predictions about text before reading it.
Ask questions and confirm predictions while reading

Sometimes when you read, your mind might wander. People, devices, or the outside world might distract you. And when you’re distracted, you can’t absorb information. Your eyes may continue to pass over the words, but the words are not completely absorbed into the brain. Reading for school requires a different kind of attention than reading for fun.

But there are ways to read more actively, to stay present as a reader and absorb the information. As with many other methods of doing your best, it involves planning ahead.

What do you do to get ready to read a school assignment?

Post your answer

Students will learn some of the following strategies in this experience:

Set aside sufficient time.
Go somewhere quiet to concentrate.
Prepare yourself mentally.
Listen to what the teacher says and consider why the teacher assigned this reading.
Gain some familiarity with the subject by doing a quick online search.
Be prepared to highlight and/or take notes on what you’re reading.
Be prepared to look up unfamiliar words.
Be prepared to seek out more information to explain confusing or interesting elements.
Think about the information available in the title.
Skim through the text to get a sense of its subject matter and difficulty level.
Review illustrations and standout text elements, such as chapter titles, headings and sub-headings, charts, and graphs.
Ask someone who has read the material what to look for.
Develop questions to keep in mind while reading.
Make predictions about what will be in the material.

When everyone is ready to continue, unlock the next scene.