Literacy in the NELC
This Week's Topic: GSE Standards 7-9
New Feature!
Thinking Beyond the Text: What does it mean?
When we ask our readers to think beyond the text, we ask them to focus on these strategic thinking actions:
- Predict
- Infer
- Synthesize
- Make Connections
-DIY Literacy , p. 17
In the above progression for predictions, students can set goals for how they will improve their predictions in future reading.
Literacy Message for Home:
Predictions encourage active reading and keep students interested, whether or not the predictions are correct. Incorrect predictions can signal a misunderstanding that needs to be revisited.
- Elementary: Look at the pictures, table of contents, chapter headings, maps, diagrams, and features. What subjects are in the book? While reading, revise the predictions or make new ones.
- Middle and High: As students are reading in textbooks or other material to prepare for future learning, ask what the title of the section or chapter is. Then ask what they think the title suggests.
The Inference Equation
Using wordless texts and movies (like the one above, Pixar's One Man Band) are natural fits when it comes to inference. What do you think? What background information do you have? What evidence do you have?
Literacy Message for Home: Reading Rockets "Growing Readers!" Parent Tips
Literacy Message for Home: Summarizing and synthesizing are often confused by our readers. One easy way to remember the difference is that you need to first summarize before you can synthesize.
Synthesizing takes the process of summarizing one step further. Instead of just restating the important points from text, synthesizing involves combining ideas and allowing an evolving understanding of text.