Textbook Study and Reading Inventory Unlocking a Precious Resource

Components to Reading 1. Reading Comprehension 2. Language Comprehension 3. Background Knowledge 4. Linguistic Knowledge 5. Phonology 6. Syntax 7. Semantics 8. Decoding 9. Cipher Knowledge 10. Lexical Knowledge 11. Phoneme Awareness 12. Alphabetic Principle 13. Letter Knowledge 14. Concepts About Print

Definitions The act of decoding symbols (letters) in order to interpret their meaning. Reading is a mental process which physiological and psychological studies suggest is based upon a succession of quick eye movements, known as fixations, across the written line, each of which lasts about a quarter of a second. Reading

Definitions The scientific study of language and its structure, including the study of morphology (how it looks), syntax, phonetics, and semantics. Linguistic

Definitions Syntax The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language.

Definitions Semantics The study of the meaning of words and groups of words in language. It includes the study of the meaning of communication between human beings.

Definitions Decoding The process of analyzing or interpreting verbal and nonverbal communication.

Definitions Cipher A coded, secret, or disguised form of writing.

Definitions Lexical The study of a word, isolated from other words, in its abstract form.

What is a Cloze Test? (individual assessment) A Cloze Test consists of a selected passage of approximately 275 to 300 words. The first and last sentences are left intact. Besides that, the teacher deletes every fifth word until there are a total of 50 blanks constructing the test. The teacher administers the exam and students have unlimited time to complete it. The student then reads the passage and thinks of the word they feel best fits in the blank.

What is a CARI Test? CARI stands for: CONTENT AREA READING INVENTORY

What is a CARI Test? (group assessment) A CARI test is a representative sample of text between words. Students will have a passage to read either from the text or typed pages. The passage will consist of introductory and supporting paragraphs. Upon completion, there are nine prepared comprehension questions as follows for students to answer: three vocabulary questions; three stated facts; three inferential questions (make sure the students have to think hard for these) for the students to answer upon completion of reading the passage.

What do these tests measure? These tests measure reading performance based on materials used in the class. They can be individual or group assessments. The test is used for instructional planning, grades are not usually assigned. The main purpose of the test is to allow students to demonstrate how much prior knowledge they have of the course before instruction and how well they read. Research studies have shown that these tests are a successful gauge of current student reading capability and level.

Directions: Today, the student(s) will be administered both CARI and CLOZE tests to verify reading level and compatibility to textbook. First will be administered the CLOZE and then the CARI. Students have unlimited time to complete each assessment. Students are to follow the written directions on the top of each test and ask the teacher questions should any arise.