Analyzing Text Features
Research: Previewing a text before reading allows students to build background knowledge before reading. "Surveying the key parts of the text is crucial to helping students better understand what they are reading" (Miller & Veatch, 2011, p. 60). In younger years this is as simple as a picture walk, but in middle school this means zooming in on key features that complement the text: headings, pictures, bold words, captions, text structure, etc. As the teacher demonstrates this strategy, students will acquire this process over time.
Student Benefits: This strategy allows students to see where they are headed and clearly shows them what to expect when reading. By previewing ahead of time, they are establishing connections and building their background knowledge. This will allow for easier comprehension as they read. Procedures: (Miller & Veatch, 2011, p. 61-62) 1.) Select the text you will be reading. 2.) As the teacher, think aloud. Model what a good reader does to preview, looking at: pages in the section, heading of the section, subtitle, opening paragraph, subheadings, picture/graphs, words that stand out, conclusion paragraph, and text structures. 3.) Allow students to engage and contribute to the process. 4.) Eventually, allow them opportunities to do this process in small groups, then eventually on their own. Writing Ideas: Using this process, students can justify their thinking. Using the diagram at the top of the page (inverted triangle), students can fill in what they have previewed, their prior knowledge, the purpose for reading, and their prediction of topic. They can further explain what they have previewed: What about the picture? What does the graph tell us? Explain the title. |
Web Resources:
http://www.wwsu.org/uploads/reading_to_learn_04.pdf (many different ways to analyze text structure) http://www.esc4.net/users/0223/docs/HighSchool2_TypesofTextStructuresinInformationalTexts.pdf (different types of text structure and how to identify) http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/using-thieves-preview-nonfiction-112.html (a lesson plan about how to preview non-fiction text) |