Understand the Vocabulary
Every subject area has vocabulary that is unique to it and much of that vocabulary is typically not used in everyday conversation. In addition, some common words may be used but in ways that are specific to that subject area. So, those words and their meanings must be clarified for students' comprehension. If you teach the meaning of vocabulary words before students read, they will be able to better comprehend the subject. Therefore, teaching vocabulary becomes a crucial part of Before Reading strategies.
Purpose for Reading
If your students grasp why you are requiring them to read something, they are more likely to comprehend the topic. You can provide a purpose to read in two ways:
- provide it yourself
- let the students provide it
For example, you might set the purpose to read by using a study guide that directs students through a text or activity (both expository and narrative texts). Or, students may set a purpose by using a KWL chart for expository text or by making predictions for a narrative text.
These are Before Reading strategies because the purpose is set. They become During Reading strategies once in active use. We will review other Before Reading strategies in Topic B. During Reading strategies are reviewed in Module 4.