1. The TF system for Marking Your Texts
SubSearch P.S.
The TF system for
Marking Your Texts

2. S.U.B. S.E.A.R.C.H. (PS) S = Skim Speed Read a text for main ideas !
U = Underline (underline as you “first-draft” read)
B = [Brackets] for that one major idea / thesis
The SUB phase of SubSearch (PS)
is the quick “first draft” reading that
focuses on finding the main idea or
the BIG PICTURE of a text selection.

3. S.U.B the text:
As we Skim, Underline, and [Bracket] a text, we are forcing ourselves to concentrate and seek out the very few “MAIN IDEAS” in the passage.
SUB-ing a text is a fast
strategy that leads the
reader into discovery
of the main concepts !

4. Marginalia = Margin Notes
The Monks – the first Marginalia writers:

5. S.E.A. For Deeper Reading
Just as a Submarine “goes deeper” to hide and to attack, sometimes we need to “go deeper” to find the details of a passage.
S.E.A. are three distinct ways to mark a text that cause you – the reader – to interact with the ideas and details of your reading!

6. S.E.A. For Deeper Reading “S” stands for SYMBOLS :
There are literally hundreds of SYMBOLS that can use in the margins:
An idea I agree with
I LOVE this idea!
Brainstorm – big idea!
A “turnaround” idea - going a different direction or I disagree – that’s an incorrect thought!

7. S.E.A. For Deeper Reading “E” stands for ENUMERATION:
LISTS of facts, details, names and dates are some of the best “clues” an author gives his reader:
The North won the Civil war for three main reasons: 1 better supplies, more economic power, and 3higher population in the Northern states.
Number those Three Major Reasons

8. S.E.A. For Deeper Reading “A” stands for Abbreviations:
Our students are MASTERS of abbreviation because of their skill at IM (instant messaging) and Text-Messaging.
ot = off topic
pu = that idea stinks
FYI = for your information (an idea worth knowing)
eod = end of discussion … the author makes a culminating point
tmi = too much information / don’t need to know all this

9. S.E.A. For Deeper Reading “A” stands for Abbreviations:
Here are some of the most common IM and Text Message abbreviations – how can students use these to SubSearch ?
:o = I’m shocked by this idea! >:-( = -I’m annoyed with this author
: ( = I’m disappointed / disagreeing : - ! = I’m very bored with this text !
: ) = I’m happy to see this / agreeing : - / = I’m frustrated with this text !

10. The R/C is the most important!
When our students React and Connect to the text, they write personal notes and emotional reactions in the margins.
The R/C phase is the most important, because it shows that the reader is truly interacting with the text. Personal comments are most memorable!
R/C is one of the ALWAYS-REQUIRED stages of SubSearch (PS). Others are optional – but we ALWAYS REACT and we ALWAYS CONNECT.

11. What does react-connect look like?

12. H is for HIGHLIGHT GOLD Highlighting is like
Highlighting has value when it is RARE.
Too much highlighting = little learning!
After we have S.U.B.-ed and S.E.A.R.C.-ed, THEN we can pick up a highlighter – - and we give students a target number of highlighted sentences / phrases per passage.
highlighter

13. HIGHLIGHTING
is an “after” reading strategy – so is the P.S. (paraphrase / summarize)
When students can paraphrase (put information into their own words) and summarize (condense large amounts of text into smaller “bites” of information) …
They are TRULY reading and comprehending!

14. Why Paraphrase / Summarize?
According to the research of Marzano, paraphrasing and summarizing information may be the most significant strategy
and skill that readers develop in school.
After finishing a full SUB-SEARCH of an article or passage, students should look back at their markings – and write their own P.S.
statement at the end !