Strategies To Achieve Reading Success

Transcription

1 Strategies To Achieve Reading Success

2 Finding the Main Idea The main idea identifies the topic and states the most important idea about it. Ask yourself, What is the paragraph mainly about? TOPIC What is it about? Ex. Riding a bike MAIN IDEA What point is the author trying to make? Ex. Riding a bike is a great way to exercise.

3 Find the Main Idea in the following passage: Benjamin Franklin loved to write. When he was twenty-two, he set up his own printing shop and started a newspaper. He also printed a book called Poor Richard s Almanac. It had funny stories, information about the weather, and wise sayings. Benjamin Franklin loved to write stories and books.

4 Recalling Facts & Details Facts and details help you understand the main idea more completely. Facts and details often tell about the who, what, where, when, why, and how of the main idea.

5 Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Goldilocks. She went for a walk in the forest. Pretty soon, she came upon a house. Goldilocks was hungry so she knocked on the door. When no one answered, she walked right in. Who?: When?: Where?: What?: Why?: How?:

6 Understanding Sequence The order in which things are done or events happen is called sequence. Clue Words: first, next, then, last, finally, before, and after Clues about time often indicate sequence: time of day, day of week, month, season, year, etc. In a story without clues, think about the beginning, middle, and end.

7 Cameron ate a Rice Krispies bar. Cameron ran up and down the bleachers. He did pushups. Cameron won his first swimming event. Cameron ate meatballs and spaghetti. He stretched his muscles

8 Recognizing Cause & Effect Clue Words: so, so that, since, because, therefore, reason, as a result, if then, and in order to

9 CAUSE EFFECT The boy kicked the ball. The ball rolled. The girl teased the cat. The cat growled. Sally studied hard for a test. Sally earned an A on her test. Joe became really tired. Joe went to sleep early.

10 Which of the following is a possible cause of losing your keys? You have a hole in your pocket. You are late for an appointment You walked under a ladder Which of the following is a likely effect of losing your car keys? It starts to rain You get angry You get hungry

11 Comparing & Contrasting Comparing finding how two or more things are ALIKE Contrasting finding how two or more things are DIFFERENT Clue words that signal a comparison: both, same, like, alike, and similar Clue words that signal a contrast: but, unlike, different, however, whereas, and instead

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13 Making Predictions Making a prediction is a way of using clues from a reading passage, as well as things you already know, to make a good guess about what might happen next. Clues are often found: in the title, in the facts & details, and in pictures

14 Cassie sat by the fountain in the park with her head in her palms. She was weeping mournfully and wearing all black. In between gasps and sobs, Cassie cried out a name John!... And then her cell phone beeped. The text message was from John. Her hand ran into her purse and her heart fluttered. She opened up the message and read the few bare words, I need to get my jacket back from you. Cassie threw her head into her arms and continued sobbing.

15 Drawing Conclusions & Making Inferences Whenever you figure out something that is not directly stated in a reading passage, you are drawing a conclusion or making an inference. Pay attention to people, places, and objects that are not directly stated. Use the details, as well as what you already know from your own life, to draw a conclusion or make an inference.

16 Mr. Craig was at the park with his family. He was the family cook and stood at the grill cooking the hot dogs while everyone else swam in the pool. The little boy had been standing by the tree for a few minutes before Mr. Craig really noticed him "Do you need any help?" the boy asked. "No, I think I've got it under control!" Mr. Craig chuckled. Then he noticed the boy's dirty t-shirt and ragged pants. "I might need some help eating all of these hot dogs though," Mr. Craig said. "I think I may have cooked too many. Would you like one?" "Okay," the boy said. "I wouldn't want you to have too many." 1. Why had the boy asked to help Mr. Craig? 2. Why had Mr. Craig said he cooked too many? 3. What kind of person was Mr. Craig?

17 Finding Word Meaning in Context The words and phrases around an unknown word often provide clues to the word s meaning. They can be in the same sentence or before or after the unknown word. Some types of context clues are: Synonyms Antonyms A comparison or definition

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19 Distinguishing Between Fact & Opinion Facts = statements that can be checked or proved. Opinions = statements that cannot be proved. They tell what someone thinks, feels, or believes. Opinion Clue Words: think, feel, believe, seem, always, never, all, none, most, least, greatest, best, and worst.

20 1. The fastest land dwelling creature is the Cheetah. 2. Michael Jordan has a career average of 30.4 points per game. 3. The ugliest sea creature is the manatee. 4. Sister Carrie was written by Theodore Dreiser. 5. Patrick Kane is the greatest Hockey player of all time. 6. There seems to be too much standardized testing in public schools. 7. Oranges contain both calcium and vitamin C.

21 The giant panda is a bearlike animal that has thick white fur with black markings on its ears, limbs, shoulders, and around its eyes. The giant panda feeds on bamboo forests at high altitudes in western China. It also eats bulbs, roots, eggs, and some small mammals. The cubs are born in late winter. The giant panda is an endangered species and is protected by the Chinese government. The purpose of writing this piece was to. It's New! It's Refreshing! It's Slurpy Soda! This is the best soda in the world! If you drink this soda you will jump higher, run faster and be smarter in school. Try one today! The purpose of writing this piece was to.

22 Identifying Author s Purpose All authors write for a reason (purpose). Possible purposes: to persuade to inform to entertain

23 Interpreting Figurative Language Authors use figurative language to help readers create pictures in their minds. Examples of figurative language: Similes (Ex. Her smile was like the sunshine. ) Metaphors (Ex. He was a bear in the morning. ) Idioms (Ex. I feel like a fish out of water. )

24 The breeze is a messenger He had a chip on his shoulder As sweet as roses in bloom The sky is a blanket That test was a piece of cake The sea twinkles like fireflies at night The street is a river where traffic can flow He was the apple of my eye Cars scurry like fish

25 Summarizing A summary is not stated in a reading passage. You must think about and restate the most important ideas to create a summary. A good summary of FICTION = tell about the main character s problem and its solution. A good summary of NONFICTION = tell about the main idea of the reading selection, as well as the main idea of each paragraph.

26 When some people think about Texas, they think of cowboys on the open range-herding cattle up a dusty trail. However, Texas has much more than open prairie with large herds of cows. There are the mountains of West Texas, the piney hills of east Texas, and the emerald waters off the coast of Padre Island. Texas also has large coastal harbors with numerous sailboats, powerboats, inland lakes, rivers, swamps of southeast Texas with alligators and other exotic wildlife. The Summary of this passage is: A. There are a lot of cows in Texas. B. There are many different, varied parts of Texas. C. Texas is one of the biggest states in the United States. D. There are alligators in the swampland of southeast Texas. Julie watched the ants as they carried small crumbs down the trail to the anthill. She thinks ants are very hard working and industrious little creatures. They always seemed busy, and you never saw an ant just laying around doing nothing. They were always working for their queen and carrying food, building tunnels, or defending the anthill. One thing you could say about ants is that they sure aren't lazy. The Summary of this passage is: A. Ants carry many things. B. Some ants may bite you. C. Ants are hard workers. D. Some ants help take care of the queen

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