Chapter 3

Chapter Three 

Reading Skills

Reading   means to  CONSTRUCT  MEANING  FROM  TEXT.  READING  IS  A PROCESS THAT MUST INCLUDE THINKING BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER

READING. 

We read in order to MEANING and UNDERSTANDING. The correct READING SPEED is the one that gets you that meaning and understanding.

Reading is an art form and good readers do certain things that get them the meaning that the process is designed to extract.

How to improve your comprehension during reading:

1.  Begin from what you already know (activating prior knowledge).

2.  Always try to make sense of what you are reading (context).

3.  Ask yourself questions; before, during and after reading.

4.  Predict and think about what will happen next in the text, or how your questions will be answered.

5.  Read with a purpose. Know why you are reading and what you are reading to find out.

6.  Know that as a good reader you often REREAD parts of, or even, the whole text two or more times in order to make sense of what you are reading.

The SQ4R Method of reading effectively

SQ4R is a flexible reading strategy because it engages the reader during each phase of the reading process. Readers preview/SURVEY (S) the text material to develop predictions and set the purpose for the reading by generating QUESTIONS (Q) about the topic. They READ (1R) actively, searching for answers to those questions. They monitor their comprehension as they summarize WRITE (2R) & RECITE (3R). They evaluate their comprehension through REVIEW (4R) activities. Two general learning components must be addressed as you begin the reading process and the SQ4R method will activate them:

First, place the reading in CONTEXT. What is the reading about and do you have any prior knowledge about this subject to help you extract the meaning that you are looking for? The SURVEY and SYSTEMATIC reading puts this process into motion. You get an overview that will "jog your memory" as you search for prior knowledge on the subject. Ask questions about what you don't know. Make the questions simple and general if you don't have much prior knowledge and more specific if this is an area of study that is familiar to you. Using these questions will GUIDE YOUR SPEED AND COMPREHENSION as you attempt to answer them.

REMEMBER, THE STUDENT THAT IS ENGAGED IN READING IS MOTIVATED, STRATEGIC, KNOWLEDGEABLE, AND SOCIALLY INTERACTIVE.

How to Use SQ4R

1.  Survey what you are about to read

•      Systematic Reading

•      Think about the title: What do you know about this subject?

•      What do I want to know?

•      Glance over headings and/skim the first sentences of paragraphs.

•      Look at illustrations and graphic aids.

•      Read the first paragraph.

•      Read the last paragraph or summary.

2.  Question

Turn the title and sub-titles into wh-element question. This becomes the major purpose for your reading.

•      Write down any questions that come to mind during the survey.

•      Turn headings into questions.

•      Turn subheadings, illustrations, and graphic aids into questions.

•      Write down unfamiliar vocabulary and determine the meaning.

3.  Read Actively

•      Read to search for answers to the questions set.

•      Respond to objectives and use context clues for unfamiliar words.

•      React to unclear passages, confusing terms, and questionable statements by generating additional questions.

4.  Recite

•      Look away from the answers and the book to recall what was read.

•      Recite answers to the questions aloud or in writing.

•      Reread text for unanswered questions.

5.  wRite

•      Make "maps" for yourself.

•      Reduce the information

•      Reread or skim to locate and prove your points.

•      Write down the key terms and ideas in outline form.

•      Always read/question/recite before marking or taking down notes.

•      Check yourself against the text. Correct and add to your answer.

6.  Review

•      Answer the major purpose questions.

•      Look over answers and all parts of the chapter to organize the information.

•      Summarize the information learned by creating a graphic organizer (concept map) that depicts the main ideas, by drawing a flow chart, by writing a summary,

•      You can also summarize by participating in a group discussion, or by writing an explanation of how this material has changed your perceptions or applies to your life.