On how we can make the best out of what we are reading.

As teachers and individuals who are around children we must without fail empasise on why they should read carefully and not assume at any point.

It’s essential that children are in a position to evaluate a text using the simple process of skimming.

Just 5 things.

Consider the layout/organisation of the text to understand the purpose of it.

Read the main titles,headings, focus on the pictures, words underlined and the start paragraphs.

Move your eyes quickly over the text from common words and themes.

Try and get a general understanding of the text.

It’s necessary we indulge in this process of skimming each and every time we chance upon or choose to read an article, essay, review or a feature.

This would enable us to understand whether the text is something which would be useful . This way we save our time. Based on our overall picture that we have derived cause we decided to skim read we got to choose if we want to further go ahead exploring the text more.

We need not take more than 25 seconds to skim a decent one page article. That’s all that it takes for us. And we must be able to do it.

Based on your skim reading your students should be in a position to answer a few questions.

1.What type of text? Letter/feature/story/email etc.
2.Who wrote it?
3.Target audience?
4.Why was it written?
5.When was it written?

If your students have an answer to these question post skimming they are doing just right. If not you know what to get them to do.

Once your students have a general idea regarding the article and they are going ahead to explore it further. They are expected to scan for details.

To look for specific details is an intense activity. They are completely engaged in inferring from the text. They will be in a position to look up the key words and find answers to the questions you ask them based on the text.

It’s necessary to take them though this process so that the are able to comfortably locate or pick information from a given text.

To ensure they have completely understood the reading material you asked your students to read you could assign them extended activity which would be a response to what they have just read.

Assigning students with a lot reading material and expecting them to be able to comprehend everything on their own is never a great idea.

While assigning a reading task to students of any grade we must take into consideration two things-
1. Would learners benefit from extra thinking time as we assign them reading back at home.

2.Would they be able to independently do this task.

This is not something that only students must practice. But this is for everyone. We should read smartly!

Hope this comes handy !