Analyzing / Evaluating / Interpreting / Inferring
Apply critical reading and thinking strategies.
Determine importance of information and its relevance to essential question.
Separate information and ideas into component parts.
Make inferences, identify trends, interpret data.
Separate information and ideas into component parts.
Exercise flexibility in information seeking and collaboration with peers.
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Take a Closer Look!
Once the student has gathered information resources, it is now time to make sense of the text in relation to what one already knows, use analytical skills to make inferences, interpret data, organize ideas, and make connections. Critical analysis of information gathered requires application of critical reading skills. Sorting and classifying; sifting information; presenting a coherent argument; drawing conclusions; and summarizing. Students may find that they have not gathered sufficient information through this analysis and assured that this reflection is part of the process. Adapting information seeking strategies is to be encouraged as students begin to find new meaning from their reading.

Reading Strategies

Reading Strategies (con't)

  • Reading Comprehension Strategies - Grades 1-2 and Grades 3-5 ....Reading Workshop tools that students can use to help determine the meaning of what they read. The strategies presented in Reading Workshop's Comprehension section are those which enable students to interact with fiction or non-fiction, in order to understand and answer questions about what they have read.
  • Reading Skills Weekly tips, how to, and student resource handouts to teach the following: Active Reading in the Classroom; Analytic Reading; Graphic Organizers; Three-step Approach to Reading; Reading Success with Expository Texts. (Glencoe/McGraw-Hill )
  • The Reading Lady.com - Mosaic Reading Tools - This source includes a WEALTH of resource for all kinds of ideas and strategies to increase student reading comprehension competencies. Resources include lesson plans, assessments, worksheets, and even PowerPoint presentation.
  • Secondary Literacy: Classroom Literacy Strategies/Resources Great bibliography of web resources to teach literacy. (Ministry of Education, Wellington, New Zealand
  • Synthesizing Information: Step-by-Step Instructions for Learners This is a very practical guide using Post-It notes and a clustering process. See benefits of this model. ( Arizona State University West )
  • Seven Strategies to Teach Students for Text Comprehension Reading Rockets
  • SQ3R(Learning Object - © 2005 Wisc-Online) This activity explains the SQ3R technique which learners can apply immediately in their reading of text assignments. It explains independent and cooperative learning strategies to support retention of the material.
  • Strategies for Effective Use of Science Reading Materials Includes before, during, and after strategies for K-6, 7-8, and 9-12. ( Salt Lake City School District)
  • Summary Writing (Learning Object -© 2005 Wisc-Online) Students demonstrate an understanding of summary writing by reading step-by-step instructions and then summarizing short paragraphs. Examples of summaries that are poorly written, as well as those that are written well, are included.
  • Technology Integration Resources for [Reading Comprehension] Strategies That Work Outstanding resource that provides web and print resources to teach the following reading strategies to primary, intermediate, and upper level students: Making Connections, Questioning, Visualizing; Inferring, Determining Importance, Synthesizing. Includes links to examples, handouts, articles, and lessons. (Harvey and Goudvis)
  • Twenty Best-Practices to Teach Reading Strategies (Journey North) Activate Prior Knowledge | Adjust Reading Rate/Rereading | Ask Questions: Before, During, and After Reading | Classify or Categorize Information | Compare and Contrast Ideas | Distinguish Facts from Opinions | Identify and Analyze Text Structure | Identify Author’s Purpose: Why Did the Author Write the Selection? | Identify Author’s Viewpoint: What Does the Author Think? | Identify Main Ideas and Supporting Details | Make Inferences and Draw Conclusions | Make Generalizations | Make and Refine Predictions | Paraphrase/Retell | Recognize Cause and Effect Relationships | Sequence Events | Summarize Information | Synthesize New Information
  • What I s Reading for Meaning? Instructional Strategies Online
  • Writer's Toolbox For Building Arguments A great source that prompts students to think critically about what they read. Checklists are provided to assist with preparing arguments in preparation for writing. Some are Analyzing Sources of Disagreement | Determining the Core of an Argument | Determining Claim Types. (Allyn & Bacon)
  • Writing a Topic Outline (Learning Object -© 2001 Wisc-Online) Students will read a mini-lesson and apply information from the mini-lesson to an activity using the outline template provided. As a result, the learner will develop and submit a word-processed outline for a speech.

Reading Research and Articles