Exploros | Comprehending Text

Engage

Overview

In this experience, students increase their reading comprehension by making inferences and asking and answering questions. They read actively to monitor their own understanding of what they are reading. They learn techniques to use when they have trouble understanding. Then, they identify key points in a text and compare information in multiple sources.

Objectives

Develop understanding while reading.
Understand how to make inferences.
Use evidence and details from a text to determine key ideas.

Duration

One class period.

ELL Support

This experience uses basic and academic vocabulary that students will meet routinely in the classroom. Ensure that ELL students recognize key vocabulary while reading and in discussion.

If your ELL students have difficulty reading the text of this (or any) experience, which provides important reading strategies, here’s a tip. Use the Chrome browser with Google Translate extension. Students can set the browser to translate the experience to any of the dozens of languages supported by Google Translate.

Vocabulary Words Used in “The Periodic Table of the Elements”

compound: a mixture composed of two or more elements
atomic weight: the mass of a chemical element’s atom

What happens to the information you take in as you read or listen? Does it pass through your senses and disappear forever? Or does it take up permanent residence in your brain? The answer depends on how you process the information. In this experience, you will learn some strategies for understanding what you read. Start by ensuring that you understand all the vocabulary you read and hear in discussions during this lesson.

Objectives

Develop understanding while reading.
Understand how to make inferences.
Use evidence and details from a text to determine key ideas.

Think about the ways in which reading is a part of your life. You might not even realize it, but you read in many different places: at home, at school, in the library, on the move. You read in different formats: books and magazines, homework and road signs, handwritten notes, cards and letters, websites, texts, apps, and social media.

List at least one reason you read. To post more than one, separate them with commas, like this: geography, history.

Post your answer

Sample answers include:

pleasure
information
learning
studying
planning
texting/social media
word games

Share and discuss student responses. Point out that reading for pleasure is different than reading to gain information or learn something.

The way you read affects how much of it you remember. Of course, it helps when you are interested in the subject you are reading about!

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