Monday, March 18, 2013

ELA Reading Strategies

In class, we've been working on many strategies to help us read ELA passages and respond to questions. 


Here are some strategies we’re learning in class:
Before reading the passage:
·      Read the directions carefully. Figure out what kind of passage you’re reading (story, article, fable), and ask, “What is everything I know about this genre?” For example, a fiction story will include characters with traits, a problem and a solution, a setting, and will often include a lesson or moral.


When you’re reading the passage:
·      Read through the passage carefully. If you’re reading on your own, stop and think along the way, based on what you know about the genre. If you’re reading with a partner, stop and talk along the way.


After reading the passage:
·      Read the question. Cover the answer choices with your hand.
·      Think about what answer makes sense. You will probably need to re-read part of the passage to figure it out. Say what you think the answer is in a simple sentence.
·      Look at ALL the answer choices before making a decision. Think, “Is there an answer choice that matches what I thought the answer was? Is there another answer choice that makes more sense?”
·      You might need to eliminate answer choices that don’t make sense to narrow down your options.
·      Choose the best option, and circle it!