Textbook Reading Tips {How to Make Textbooks Engaging and Comprehensible!} - Teaching to Inspire with Jennifer Findley

When I am about to teach a difficult concept, I usually frontload the information in a story format or even with a story similar to what we are about to study/read about. One concept that comes in mind in particular is teaching the Cold War to my fifth graders. I usually tell a similar, yet relatable story about two students disagreeing on a belief (I usually have it be something silly, like everyone has to wear pink) but never actually fighting. I tell them that smaller fights break out because of the two people’s disagreements, though. Then when we discuss the Cold War and the disagreement about Communism and the wars that fell under the Cold War “Umbrella”, I connect it back to the story we discussed in the beginning of the lesson. They are able to easily connect the two and understand this difficult, very abstract topic.

Before reading the textbook, I typically ask my students 2-3 questions to help focus their thoughts. I use these sentence stems:

This gives them a reason and focus for reading, and it keeps them actively reading the text. As we come to the answer, we stop and discuss.

I use this when I am reading a common text that all the students have access to. I will read out loud, pausing at a word for the students to read. This keeps them following along and is a bit of a game to some of them. It works, for some strange reason. I usually stop at a word at the end of a sentence and a word that is meaty, but that I know all the kids can ready easily. I even use this when I am reading directions or notes that need to go home.

When we are finished reading the selected textbook pages, I use a “Fill in the Blank” format for the students to take notes. Here is an example:

During the Cold War, __________________ and ___________ disagreed over _____________________. This time period was named the “Cold War” because _____________________________.

After I write or display the notes on the board, we read it together and the students fill in the blanks. Then they copy down their notes. This keeps them actively engaged in the note taking process, and is a way for me to informally assess their knowledge from the lesson. If I hear crickets when we get to a blank, I know we need to spend some more time on that concept.

Do you still use a textbook or common text to teach some subjects? Do you think these strategies will work for you and your students? Let me know in the comments.

Original article and pictures take http://teachingtoinspire.com/2016/02/textbook-reading-tips-make-it-engaging-and.html site