ASCD Express 9.03 – What the Mind Needs to Do to Read Nonfiction.
Many children are not strategic readers of nonfiction text; they dive into reading nonfiction the same way they approach a story or a novel. But if students are to become literate readers in a world filled with an abundance of information, they need to be good readers and strategic readers. Strategic readers
- establish goals for reading;
- select reading strategies appropriate for the text they are reading;
- monitor their reading to determine if they are comprehending or not; and
- have a positive attitude toward reading.
When we bring nonfiction text and content in our classrooms, we are giving our students an invitation to know things deeply. If students are able to comprehend the text, they can be independent, strategic users, consumers, and creators of information. Here are five ways to help students become strategic readers of nonfiction text.
1. Teach text types and purposes
2. Teach specific nonfiction structures
3. Teach understanding; avoid coverage
4. Teach vocabulary through concepts
5. Teach summary skills
The full article elaborates on each area. To access it, click here.
ASCD Express 9.03 – What the Mind Needs to Do to Read Nonfiction.
