Reading As ThinkingThe ‘Focused Read’ Strategy

“Focused Read”A “focused read” strategy will help you think while you read. You will be able to compare and contrast your current knowledge with the information you read in new material. It is an excellent strategy for both in-class and homework reading assignments.

• Use the’Focused Read’ strategy by coding as you read.

• Here are the first 3 codes we will learn.

√ - I get it (when you know and understand this, for example, a paragraph that you understand)

! – This is really important or interesting

? - I am confused! I don’t understand this or this does not make sense (a word, phrase, concept (idea), paragraph)

•Sometimes you may wish to record your thoughts on paper or in the margin of the hand out sheet

•Other times when you are reading a text book,etc., ‘Post it notes’ may help you label the text as you read.

Activity

•Silently read either “Why Does My Rabbit Have Red Eyes?” Or “Why Does My Cat Go Crazy Over Catnip?”

•To maintain your focus, code as you read

•Share your responses with a partner

•Be prepared to share with the class.

Let’s Share

Why Does My Rabbit Have Red Eyes?

Don’t worry. Your rabbit hasn’t been up all night crying. White rabbits that appear to have red eyes are albinos. Albinos look extremely white because they have no color, or melanin pigment, in their skin, hair, or eyes. So your rabbit’s eyes are actually clear! The red you see is the color of the blood in the blood vessels of your

rabbit’s iris, the part of the eye that normally has color. The gene that causes albinism in animals and people is recessive. This means that it rarely occurs in nature. But some mice, rats, and rabbits are bred specifically for their albino trait. That’s why these clear-eyed critters are almost as common as their colored-eyed kin!

Sharing

• Did you understand parts? Or all of it?• Did you note points that were interesting or

important?• Did you find words, sentences or concepts that

you did not understand? Often if it is confusing and you have a question in your mind you should record it on the page/sticky note. This is useful when asking questions of the teacher during next class

Why Does My Cat Go Crazy Over Catnip?

Catnip makes your cat feel good- real good. All it takes is a sniff of the catnip plant. Oil in the leaves and stem gives off a minty odor that attracts cats. Your cat sniffs, opens its mouth, and traps the odor on its tongue. Then it presses its tongue against a sac at the roof of its mouth called the Jacobson’s organ. This spot sends a signal to the smell area in your

cat’s brain. The result? Some very weird behavior! Your cat will roll, rub, and meow happily in catnip. Catnip’s like a cat drug, but it’s not a harmful one. Still, you should only feed your feline a bit of catnip once a week. After all, it’s just a kitty treat!

Sharing

• Did you understand parts? Or all of it?• Did you note points that were interesting or

important?• Did you find words, sentences or concepts that

you did not understand? Often if it is confusing and you have a question in your mind you should record it on the page/sticky note. This is useful when asking questions of the teacher during next class

Reading Is Thinking!

• It is not just the repeating of one word after another.

• You need to be focused to keep your in-head tv on!

• We will always use coding when we read in school.

• Use it in all subjects and in fiction or non-fiction reading

• Coding is especially useful in hard to read text books!