What Do Good Readers Do?

    In the 1980's researchers were able to identify the specific thinking strategies that are used by all proficient readers when interacting with text. These important strategies have unlocked the mystery of how we can help kids understand what they read.  Teaching these seven key strategies is essential for children to reading with meaning:

Create Visual Images-  Good readers make movies in their mind as they read.  They can create a wide range of sensory images while they read.  A child that creates pictures in their mind while they read is emotionally involved with the story- she may even laugh or cry out loud while reading!

Use Background Knowledge-  Good readers activate their schema.  Schema is all of the readers relevant prior knowledge which helps them relate to the story.

Ask Questions- Proficient readers are always wondering while they read.  They wonder what will happen next or why a character acted the way they did.  Questioning helps a reader focus in on what's important in the text.

Make Inferences- All good readers make predictions while they read.  Inferring is how readers go beyond what is on the written page.  Readers who infer are able to personalize what they read to build deeper meaning.

Determine Importance- Proficient readers can distinguish between important and unimportant information in the text. 

Synthesize-  Good readers make sense of what they read with synthesis- summarizing important information and adding their own unique thinking and experiences.

Fix It Up- Good readers know when they don't get it.  Proficient readers have a variety of tools to help fix-up their reading when they are struggling.