Ch. 6 Learning to Read (Textbook) Notes

A lot more challenging than high school/books for pleasure. Loaded with concepts, terms & complex information you're expected to learn in a short period of time. Use active reading strategies to help you. Strategies include building your overall vocabulary/ increasing your familiarity with terms that are unique to your particular field of study. Essential to doing well inn college regardless of your major.

Using strategies to help you stay focused. Different from pleasure reading-DOESN'T require you to annotate, highlight, or take notes. College textbook reading DOES. This will...PSRR.

Get the big picture, understand how what you are about to read connects with what you already know/the material the instructor covers in class. Begin by reading the title, then ask yourself: What do I already know. Read through the introductory paragraphs. Read the summary at the beginning or end of the chapter. Take a few minutes to skim the chapter, look at heading/subheadings. Note any study exercises at the end of the chapter. Note the number of pages each chapter contains. Each text requires different amounts of time to read.

Provides a visual guide for how many chapter ideas fit together. Visual mapping is an excellent tool learning tool for test preparation/reading. To map, use a wheel or branching structure as you preview the chapter.

Place the central idea of the chapter in the circle. Place secondary ideas on the spokes emanating from the circle/place off shoots of those ideas on the lines attached to the spokes.

The main idea goes at the top, followed by the supporting ideas on the second tier, etc. Fill in the title first, then skim the chapter, use the heading/subheadings to fill in key ideas.

Make an outline of the chapter/List Can be effective when you are dealing with text that introduces many new terms/definitions.

Set up the list with terms in the left column/fill in definitions, descriptions, & examples on the right after you read. Divide the terms on your list into groups of five, seven, or nine.

Make a list/create flash cards for each heading/subheading, then fill the back. Review with a partner or by yourself.

First, read without using your pencil or highlighter. Marking-An active reading strategy to help you focus/concentrate as you you read. May prefer to underline, highlight or use margin notes/annotations. Remember: read, think. Also: consider taking notes, creating flash cards, making lists, or outlining textbook chapters. Do NOT underline in your textbook. Put your notes in your own words.

Many factors effect your ability to concentrate/understand the text:time, energy, interest, location. Study location removed from distractions (Technology, etc.) Read in blocks with small breaks in between. Set study goals. Take a walk or stretch in order to stay awake/focused. Then continue. Jot down study questions, take notes, or recite ideas. Reread anything confusing. Reread important parts of the text: balded, italics, beginning/ending sentences. Use the glossary/dictionary to review unfamiliar terms.

Include regular reviews in your study process. Use your notes, study questions, annotations, flash cards, etc. Review the material from each chapter every week. Consider ways of using your senses to review (Recite aloud,list, post diagrams, etc.)