your task… on one side of notecard, create a list that describes how you read a textbook....

Your task…

• On one side of notecard, create a list that describes how you read a textbook.

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 7 - 1

Reading College Textbooks

Shorewood AP


Benefits of Active Reading

As an active reader, you will:• Be less likely to slip into automatic pilot

• Be using powerful multisensory strategies

• Increase your reading comprehension

• Actively use Principles of Memory


Essential Strategies for Textbook Reading

• Begin with a clear intention to understand what you read.

• Be inquisitive.

• Relate new information to existing schemas in your long-term memory.

• Manage your textbook reading time effectively.

• Use spaced practice or spaced studying.

• Include some form of feedback as you study (make connections).


Surveying to Get an Overview

Surveying:• Activates existing working memory

• Connects to existing schemas in LTM

• Sets the stage to create new associations

• Enhances motivation and interest

• Provides information about length and difficulty of the reading material – so, manage your time!


Surveying a Textbook


Surveying a Chapter


Formulating Questions

Formulating questions is an active reading strategy that provides you with a purpose for reading, elevates your curiosity, increases comprehension, and helps maintain a focus.

The questions and then the answers create memory cues or associations to recall information later.

• Write questions before you read.

• Write questions as you read.

• Write questions after you read.


The Steps of SQ4R


The Steps of SQ4R (Cont)


Reading History Textbooks

Textbooks involve sequence of events in a narrative form.

Create timelines to show the sequence of events.

Look for patterns and trends, cause and effect relationships, and major shifts in political, social, and cultural directions.

Create visual images and movies in your mind.

Memorize specific facts (names, dates, treaties, wars, and definitions).

Read other accounts of the same events for alternative perspectives.


Reading Social Science Textbooks

Social science textbooks include anthropology, business, counseling, criminal justice, economics, education, ethnic studies, finance, history, law, marketing, philosophy, political science, psychology, public administration, sociology, and women's studies.

Memorize terminology; be able to define and give examples.


Reading Social Science Textbooks (Cont)

Look for major concepts, patterns, trends, cause-effect relationships, details to support main points, and relationships among different groups.

Examine and interpret all visual materials.

Create visual materials.

Personalize the information.

Use headings and subheadings to outline the chapter.

your task… on one side of notecard, create a list that describes how you read a textbook....

Documents

reading material

textbook reading time

active reading strategy

existing schemas

new information

sequence of events

overview surveying

interestprovides information