Making Connections

What are Connections? Connections are links that readers can make between what they are reading and things they already know about. “Use what you know to help you figure out what you don’t know – YET!”

Why should we make connections? Good readers make connections to better understand what they are reading. The more connections you make, the more you will understand and remember what you are reading.

How do readers make connections? Good readers use their own background knowledge and prior experiences to make connections. There are 3 different ways that a reader can make connections …

~ Types of Connections ~ Text–to–Self Text–to-Text Text–to-World

Text–to-Self These are connections that readers make between the text (what you are reading) and their own past experiences and/or background knowledge.

Questions readers ask when making Text-to-Self connections What does this story remind me of? Can I relate to the characters in the story? Does anything in this story remind me of anything in my own life?

Text–to-Text These are connections that readers make between the text they are reading and other texts the reader has read before. Texts might include books, poems, scripts, songs, or anything written.

Questions readers ask when making Text-to-Text connections What does this remind me of in another book I have read? How is this text similar to other things I have read? How is this text different from other things I have read?

Text–to-World These are connections that readers make between the text and the bigger issues, events, or concerns of society. To make these types of connections the reader must think about what is going on in the world around them. You could even include movies or television shows that you have seen before. Not something that has happened directly to you.

Questions readers ask when making Text-to-World connections What does this remind me of in the real world? How are events in this story similar to things that happen in the real world? How are events in this story different from things that happen in the real world?

More reasons to make connections… It helps readers understand how characters feel and the motivation behind their actions. It helps readers have a clearer picture in their head as they read thus making the reader more engaged. It keeps the reader from becoming bored while reading. It sets a purpose for reading and keeps the reader focused. Readers can see how other readers connected to the reading. It forces readers to become actively involved. It helps readers remember what they have read and ask questions about the text.