1. Making Connections

2. What are Connections?
Connections are links that readers can make between what they are reading and things they already know about.

3. Why should we make connections?
Good readers make connections to better understand what they are reading.

4. 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 …

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

6. Connection: 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.

7. Text to Self Questions What does this remind me of in my life?
What is this similar to in my life?
How is this different from my life?
Has something like this ever happened to me?
How does this relate to my life?
What were my feelings when I read this?

8. Connection: Text – to - Text
These are connections that readers make between the text they are reading and other texts the reader has read before.
Other kinds of texts might include books, poems, scripts, songs, or anything written.
You could even include movies or television shows that you have seen before.

9. Text to Text Questions
What does this remind me of in another book I’ve read?
How is this text similar to other things I’ve read?
How is this different from other books I’ve read?
Have I read about something like this before?

10. Connection: 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.

11. Text to World Questions
What does this remind me of in the real world?
How is this text similar to things that happen in the real world?
How is this different from things that happen in the real world?
How did that part relate to the world around me?

12. Response Options for Sharing Connections …
Verbal Reponses – The reader would discuss the connections they made with a text aloud with others in a group.
Written Responses – The reader would write the connections they could make with a text down on a sheet of paper or in a response journal.

13. Ways to Start your Connections …
“That reminds me of … “
“Remember when … “
“This is like … “
“This character makes me think of …”
“This setting reminds me of … “

14. The Best School Year Ever
~ Let’s Practice ~
Our Text:
The Best School Year Ever
by: Barbara Robinson