Previewing
This strategy prepares students in their approach to reading content area textbooks, both strategically and independently.
The teacher will draw attention to the following features:
- Title – This can be used to predict what the assigned text will be about, as well as to activate the students’ prior knowledge.
- Introductions & Summaries – Point out to the students that introductions and summaries are two places where important information can be found.
- Bold Print Headings – Direct students’ attention to headings and subheadings found in the text. Have students speculate about what information may be found under these headings, as well as anticipate what questions may be answered there.
- Graphic Aids – Draw the students’ attention to any charts, tables, graphs, or maps that may be used in the text. Explain that these graphic aids are valuable resources for summarizing important information found in the text.
Reference
Vacca J., & Vacca R. Content Area Reading (5th ed.). New York: HarperCollins, 1996.