Wed. Sept. 13, 2017: Beowulf: Active Reading

Today, I finished the notes on Beowulf. I then handed out part one of the ballad and instructed students to read the introduction on their own (actively). This was a timed activity. If a student did not finish, then it is homework.
I then read the ballad modelling the skills of effective readers. Students will then have to write a summary of this part of the ballad (tomorrow).

Steps for Active Reading

Examine the title: The title is supposed to indicate what a reading will be about. Analyze it putting a couple of words beside it.

  

Highlighting:  If you don’t know a word, highlight it; if you come across the five Ws, highlight them as well. Also, highlight what the thesis and main points might be (in an essay). Look up definitions and put them right on the page near the word.

  

Questioning:   If something is unclear or you don’t understand it, put a question mark beside it. This will draw you back for a second look and also help when we are discussing it.

  

Paraphrasing:            as you finish each paragraph, jot down what it is about. This doesn’t have to be in a lot of words but it will force you to stay active in your readings.

Connecting:    Make connections with people, places, and things you know.

  

Clarifying:     Watch for the answers to questions you had earlier.