1. Understanding What they Read
Understanding What You Read

2. Transitioning from frustrated, PASSIVE readers to interested, ACTIVE readers!

3. Comprehend Definition: The ability to understand.
Synonyms: understand; grasp; know; get; perceive; discern
Antonyms: misunderstand; not get; mistake; overlook

4. Learning from Textbooks
Major part of Middle and High School experience
Primary/secondary source documents!
Material in these texts can be very hard to read and understand if you don’t know the right strategies to help.
If you can’t understand the information in the text, you’ll struggle to understand in the course.

5. Tools to Help You Read Better!
Research proves that struggling readers can learn strategies to help. Even strong readers can learn strategies to improve speed, accuracy, and understanding.

6. 6 Structures of Informational Text
Descriptive
Chronological
Sequential
Compare/Contrast
Cause & Effect
Problem - Solution

7. Concept Map
Descriptive WEB

10. Description of Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States of America, the leader who successfully prosecuted the Civil War to preserve the nation. He played in key role in passage of the Thirteenth Amendment, which ended slavery in America. As the war was ending, Lincoln became the first U.S. president to be assassinated. Prior to his election as president in 1860, he had successful careers as a lawyer and politician in Illinois, serving several terms in the state legislature and one in the U.S. House of Representatives. He also holds the distinction of being the only U.S. president to receive a patent; in 1849, he designed a system for lifting riverboats off sandbars.
“In temper he was Earnest, yet controlled, frank, yet sufficiently guarded, patient, yet energetic, forgiving, yet just to himself; generous yet firm,” wrote J. T. Duryea of the U.S. Christian Commission, which met frequently with President Abraha Lincoln. “His conscience was the strongest element of his nature. His affections were tender & warm. His whole nature was simple and sincere – he was pure, and then was himself.”1

11. Concept Map
Sequence

15. Concept Map
Venn Diagram
Compare & Contrast

18. Concept Map
Cause & Effect

21. Concept Map
Problem & Solution

24. While We Read!
Key words associated with specific text structures?

25. Key Words Associated With Text Structures
Enumeration Time Frame Compare & Contrast Cause/Effect
Prob/Solution
to begin on (a specific date) however because
first not long after but since
secondly now as well as therefore
next as on one hand/on the other hand consequently
then before not only/but also as a result
finally after either/or leads to
most important when while nevertheless
also following although accordingly
in fact soon unless if/then
for instance later similarly thus
for example finally yet thereby

26. While We Read!
Summarize the text.
Stop and restate the main ideas/points in your own words (orally or in writing).

27. Great Non-Fiction Reads!!!

28. Primary Source Documents
A document or physical object which was written or created during the time period under study. These sources were present during the event and offer an inside view. Some types of primary sources include:
ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS: Diaries, speeches, manuscripts, letters, interviews, news film footage, autobiographies, official records 
CREATIVE WORKS: Poetry, drama, novels, music, art 
RELICS OR ARTIFACTS: Pottery, furniture, clothing, buildings
Examples of primary sources include: Diary of Anne Frank
The U.S. Constitution
A journal article reporting NEW research or findings 
Weavings and pottery - Native American history 

29. Primary Sources

30. Secondary Source Documents
A secondary source interprets and analyzes primary sources. These sources are one or more steps removed from the event. Secondary sources may have pictures, quotes or graphics of primary sources in them. Some types of secondary sources include:
PUBLICATIONS: Textbooks, magazine articles, histories, criticisms, commentaries, encyclopedias 
A journal/magazine article which interprets or reviews previous findings 
A history textbook 
A book about the effects of WWI 
A biography

31. Secondary Sources