Textbook Reading Workshop First-year college students report almost unanimously that they are overwhelmed with both the volume and difficulty of their textbook reading assignments. Some students report that they do not keep up with their reading assignments, while others read but do not retain the information.

College Textbook Reading Why should students read? Supplement class lecture and notes. Prepare for class note-taking and listening. Build on previous knowledge. Read to learn, write to learn, talk to learn.

SQ3R Helps You to Identify the most important points quickly Distinguish between main ideas and details Comprehend information quickly Situate information into memory Review for exams efficiently SQ3R = Skim – Question – Read – Recite - Review SQ3R is one of many textbook reading strategies that helps students:

S=Skim the Reading Assignment Sample a paragraph from your reading assignment to determine how much time you will need to reserve for the entire reading assignment. Consider the following: Your purpose for reading the material. Your level of interest in the material. Your concentration span. The reading level and rate at which facts are presented. Schedule your reading time. Break the reading assignment into manageable chunks spaced over a few days or a few hours.

Skim the Assigned Chapter title introduction sub-headings topic sentences illustrations, charts, graphs, etc. chapter summary, discussion questions

Q = Question, Part 1 What information do you hope to gain from reading the material? What do you already know about this topic? What do you think the author might say?

Q=Question, Part 2 Turn each of the main points found in the introduction, headings, topic sentences, or summary into a question. Use these questions to guide your reading.

1st R=Read Read the section you’ve surveyed, using your questions as a guide. Annotate the text Mark the text to indicate main points, definitions, characteristics, examples, and conclusions. Use numbers to indicate important series of information. Take notes in the margins.

2nd Recall Restate the main points and supporting details in you own words by Answering each of your questions Making an outline Taking notes Creating a mind map Talking about you learned

3rd R=Review At the end of your study period, to see how much you learned, Review the material you have read using your notes, outline, or marked portions of the text Question yourself without the notes Several periods of study spaced over time will help you retain information more effectively than one long period of study just before an exam.

Your Turn Use the SQ3R worksheet to study chapter 1 Presentation from State University of New York at Brockport Adapted for CMU/WCCC by Susan J. Konantz 31 Aug. 2014