Welcome to the

Comprehensive Center-Region VI
Audio Web Conference
Workshop

Sheryl Beglinger
Training and Outreach Specialist
 Strategies for Teaching Reading
Across the Curriculum
• Have clear goals and objectives
– Focus on the essential
– Make sure lessons/assignments help
students understand the essential ideas or
principles
 “Teach the Text Backwards”
1. Start by doing something that applies the
material to be learned in a concrete, real-
life way.
• “Applications and extensions” at the end of
the chapter
• Puts the new material in context and increases
comprehensibility

Judy Jameson, Center for Applied Linguistics,

Region XIV Comprehensive Center
 “Teach the Text Backwards”
2. Discuss the application and the related
concepts in class.
• What happened, why, what would happen
if…
• Use key vocabulary in the discussion
• Activate prior knowledge and model thinking
skills

Judy Jameson, Center for Applied Linguistics,

Region XIV Comprehensive Center
 “Teach the Text Backwards”
3. Review the study questions at the end of
the chapter
• Identify main ideas and set a purpose for
reading
• Preview chapter by looking at pictures and
diagrams
• Read subheadings to show how chapter is
organized
Judy Jameson, Center for Applied Linguistics,
Region XIV Comprehensive Center
 “Teach the Text Backwards”
4. Read the text to find the answers to the
most important study questions
• Break up the chapter to reduce the amount of
text read
• Provide graphic organizers or study guides to
increase comprehension
• Allow students to discuss the answers in
small groups before writing the answers at
home
Judy Jameson, Center for Applied Linguistics,
Region XIV Comprehensive Center
Strategies that Need to be
Directly Taught

Main Idea

Summarization
 Activities for Before Reading
Semantic Word Map

Possible Sentences

Anticipation Guides
example

KWL Expanded*

*Egan, Margaret. (1999) Reflections on effective use of graphic organizers. Journal of

Adolescent & Adult Literacy, May.
 How much do you know about Smallpox?
Answer the following questions about smallpox.
Give a reason why you answered the question “Yes” or “No”.

Question Yes No I don’t

know
1. Smallpox is a contagious disease that can only be spread
through touch.

2. There is an antiviral medication available that can cure

smallpox.

3. If you are an adult and vaccinated for smallpox when you

were a child, you cannot get smallpox.

4. Getting a rash is the first symptom of a smallpox

infection.

5.Smallpox vaccine is ineffective if a person has already

been exposed to the smallpox virus.
 KWL (Expanded)
What I What I Read/ Questions Where to
know think I Verify About the find
definitely know reading answers
+ Item is
accurate

- Item is not
accurate

? Not enough
Information is
given
 During Reading
Reciprocal Teaching (Predict,Clarifying,
Question Generating, Summarizing)

Collaborative Strategic Reading

Inquiry Charts (I Charts) (ex. pg. 4)

Graphic Organizers

Compare/Contrast Venn Diagram

Compare/Contrast Venn Diagram

Second word
First word
 After Reading
Study Guides for Tests:

Graphic Organizer Notebook

Vocabulary Web Chart

 Graphic Organizer Notebook
• set of teacher-prepared blank webs and organizers
students complete while studying a chapter or unit.
– tailored-made for the content to be studied
– a meaningful way to take notes, illustrate concepts and
key words
– valuable tool that students can use to study for the
chapter or unit test.
• cooperative learning groups should be used to
complete the webs and organizers
– discussion further enhances the learning of material.
 Word Map*
Definition – using context clues,
dictionary or glossary

Word

Antonym or Non-
Synonym or Example example

Personal Clue –
may use picture

*Adapted from Catherin Rosenbaum. (2001)“A word map for middle schools: A tool for
effective vocabulary instruction.” Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy. Sept.
New Word and Definition (using context clues, Synonym or example Antonym or non- Personal Clue (may
page number dictionary, glossary) example use picture)

Book______________________________________________
Chapter___________ Page numbers _________________ Date _______________
 Internet Resources
Internet Public Library

KidsClick!

Rubric Generator

Webquests for Cooperative Learning

ThinkQuests Example of a ThinkQuest