I read it but i dont get

Is It Reading?
Are you reading or just saying the words?
Are you still confused (or more confused) after reading?
Reading isn’t just knowing the words – reading is thinking……
You need to construct meaning. It doesn’t just happen.

How Do I “Construct” Meaning?
In order to construct meaning, readers need to use different strategies

Reading Strategies
Identify Purpose
Recognize text Structure and Organizational patterns
Use Background Knowledge
Ask Questions
Draw Conclusions and make Inferences
Monitor comprehension and use “Fix-Up” strategies
Create sensory Images

Identifying the Purpose
Knowing the purpose helps to determine what is important
Know what you are going to use information for
Saves time
Know what to skip

Text Structure and Organization
Section headings
Text conventions – bold, italic, underline, all CAPS
Vocabulary - highlighting
“Learn” – SOL purpose
Examples
Think and Discuss
Practice
Guided
Independent
Problem Solving

Using Background Knowledge
What is background knowledge?
Prior learning
Similar to another course
Happened in personal life
Related to something else
connections

Using Background Knowledge
When reading, think: “this reminds me of ……..”
Helps to make sense of new information
Helps with memory of new information

Using Background Knowledge
Memory
All this jibberish goes in, where do I put it?
Think of the brain as a filing cabinet and background knowledge as an existing file folder

I wonder…..
What do you wonder?

Questioning
Good readers constantly question the text
Before reading
During reading
After reading

Questioning
Questions before reading:
Give a purpose for reading – to answer the questions
Focus the reader on the text while looking for answers – the mind is less likely to wander

Questioning
Questions during reading:
To clarify information learned or missed
To wonder why something happens

Questioning
Questions after reading:
Encourage more thinking and deeper analysis
Lead reader to make inferences
May lead to further reading/research

Inferences
Infer…….who!?!?
An inference is a conclusion formed by reasoning based on facts or previously stated information

Monitor Comprehension
Good readers know when they are making sense of their reading and they know when they are confused.
Good readers don’t ignore their confusion. They do something to help themselves.

Monitor Comprehension
When reading, you should have two voices inside your head
Reciting voice – reading the words
Interacting voice – making connections, asking questions, agreeing/disagreeing, combines with pictures
Listen to voices to know if you understand

Fix-Up Strategies
“When I get stuck, I quit reading…..”
Good readers use Fix-Up Strategies to help themselves get unstuck

Fix-Up Strategies
Re-read
Make a connection between the text and background knowledge
Make a prediction
Stop and Think
Ask a question
Write about what you have read
Visualize
Use print conventions and text structure

Fix-Up Strategies
Re-reading – Is there something you can go back and read that will help understanding? Most readers do this already. Sometimes, just re-reading a word or a sentence is enough
Make a connection – sometimes you have information about a topic in your head that isn’t being used. Use memories, personal experiences, or information about the subject to help visualize, predict, ask questions and remember what you read

Fix-Up Strategies
Make a prediction – Good readers anticipate what is coming next. If the what comes next doesn’t match the prediction, readers rethink and revise their thinking. They are also alerted to possible confusion.
Stop and think – This is very useful, but easy to forget to do. Pausing while reading gives your brain time to think about new information. You have an opportunity to visualize, ask questions and determine what is important

Fix-Up Strategies
Ask a question – Good readers understand that all of the answers will not be found in the text. They use clues from the text and background knowledge to make conclusions. You can seek answers to your questions from:
Yourself
Someone else
Find another resource

Fix-Up Strategies
Write about what you’ve read – Writing down what you think about the text helps to clarify your thinking. Sometimes just a few side notes is enough; other times writing a summary is more helpful
Visualize – when meaning breaks down, good readers create images in their heads to help make sense of what the words are saying.

Fix-Up Strategies
Use print conventions – as discussed earlier, key words, bold or italicized words, CAPITALIZED letters, underlining and punctuation can all be used to help understanding. You can also see how the author wants the piece to sound and what he thinks is important

Fix-Up Strategies
Use text structure – recognizing how a piece is organized helps the reader locate information more quickly. As discussed previously, use table of contents and section headings. You don’t have to read everything from cover to cover to find information

Tools
Sticky Notes/Marking Text
Double-Entry Diaries

Sticky Notes
Use sticky notes while reading to mark areas of importance
Write your thinking next to the words that caused that thought:
Connections: “This reminds me of….”
Questions: “I wonder….”
Conclusions: “I think….”
Statements: “This is important because…”
Confusion: “I don’t understand….”
Make sure to go back to your notes

Double-Entry Diary
Helps to organize thoughts about text
Left side: direct quotes with page number
Right side: What you think:
Reminds me of….
This is important because….
I am confused because….
I think this means….
The picture in my head looks like….

Tools
Double-Entry Diaries
Fold paper in half lengthwise (like a hotdog bun)
Write quotes or facts from text on left side
Write your thoughts on the right side (or draw a picture)

Double-Entry Diary
Fact or Quote
From book
What I think….
The most important thing is….
I wonder….
This reminds me of….
I am confused about….
I’m picturing….
Remember to include page number

Reading Strategies
Remember……
Using reading strategies can make reading more meaningful and helpful, but you have to practice using strategies
Not all strategies will work in all situations