Content Area Reading Strategies

By : Deanna Peete

Introduction Task Resources Process Evaluation

INTRODUCTION

 Today teachers realize that many students come into the classroom unable to comprehend content material. Reading teachers face the daily challenge of varying comprehension levels among their students. Students are taught how to focus on narrative structure of reading fiction material. This focus has created a problem for the remaining content areas. Content reading does not use narrative text in teaching content; it uses expository text. How content teachers improve the reading comprehension of their students to better understand expository content material?

TASK

To help student’s who have problems comprehending content material you need to develop a thorough understanding of the different reading strategies available in the content areas. To develop your understanding of reading strategies and how they work, your task is to research the following sites to determine which strategies will be most effective for your students.

You will be working with a team of teachers in your content area. It is your job to review the background reading. When you finish your background reading go to the web sites listed under your content area to learn how to use content reading strategies. You and your group members will answer the following questions:

1. Which three strategies did you find most valuable to teach your content material and Why?
2. How will you implement these strategies into your content lessons?
3. How will you evaluate the success of these strategies in your classroom?

RESOURCES

Here are the web sites your and your team will be investigating:

Background Reading:

Teaching Strategies Secondary Teachers Teaching Strategies 2 Assessing Reading

Examples of Reading Strategies:

Anticipation Guides 2

K-W-L

Examples in Social Studies

Examples in Science

Examples in Math

Other Content Area Links:

Math Reading Strategies Think Alouds Concept Mapping Word Problems Word Problems 2 SQ3R

Science Pre-reading Think Alouds Concept Mapping Biopoems Taking notes Marking & Underline SQ3R Critical Reading

English Pre-reading Think Alouds Concept Mapping Anticipation Guides Reciprocal Reading SQ3R

Social Studies Pre-reading Think Alouds Concept Mapping Anticipation Guides Reciprocal Reading Marking & Underline SQ3R Glossing

PROCESS

Print out a copy of the worksheet below. Each member of the team will evaluate the strategies listed on the worksheet based upon the information learned at the above web sites. As you are evaluating keep in mind the three questions you must answer under the TASK section. To make it easier for you to evaluate the sites, each of you will act as one of the following: 

The Clock-Watcher You are concerned about getting through your curriculum by the end of the year. What strategies will help you meet that goal? Time is of the essence to you.

Cooperative Grouper You like your students working together in small groups. What strategies will help your students work together to reinforce content understanding?

The Cognition You want your students to understand key content concepts better. What strategies will you use to help your readers comprehend and develop higher order thinking skills?

Strategy Evaluation Worksheet

Strategy Reviewed	Weaknesses	Strengths
· Pre-reading
· Think Alouds
· Concept Mapping
· Glossing
· Anticipation Guides
· K-W-L
· Biopoems
· Word Problems
· SQ3R
· Marking & Underlining
· Critical Reading
· Reciprocal Reading

EVALUATION

1. List the three strategies your team chose for the Social Studies learner. Describe how these strategies meet the needs of your learners and curriculum goals.

Strategy Chosen

How Strategy Meets Learner Needs

How Strategy Meets Curriculum Goals

2. Give a brief explanation of how you will use one of the above strategies in a lesson in your content area.