Using The Change Agent to Teach Reading

Pre‑Reading

Formulate their own questions/own purpose for reading.
Relate the theme of the reading story to their own experience.
Identify prior knowledge:
- create a mind map about what they already know about the subject
- make a chart of what they know and what they want to know
Write their own story from key words.
Discuss elements that will help them predict what the piece will be about:
- the title, author, format of newspapers and articles
- key words from the piece, captions, the first sentence or a short excerpt
Look at the graphic information to predict what the reading is about.

Read the first paragraph. Were the 5W questions answered? Their own questions? What new ones do they have?
Make a statement and find facts to support or dispute it.
Scan for information, using vocabulary and format clues.
Continue to predict along the way.
“Write back” to the text along the way.
If it’s a story, write own ending before reading the real one.

Check text against their predictions (and discuss why they were correct or not).
Discuss inferential/referential questions before detail/informational questions.
Retell (paraphrase) the reading, noting key points or various perspectives.
Make a timeline of events.
Illustrate key ideas or moments from the reading.
Discuss characters, role play scenes, write to a character or as a character.
Write their own comprehension questions and math problems.
Discuss their reactions to the reading; how the article confirms or contradicts their beliefs or expectations.
Discuss themes, issues, facts v. opinions ‑ support their points with the text.
Pick words they want to remember and make sentences with them.
Write or identify existing songs that reflect the main themes of the reading.
Create a body movement or sculpture that that reflects the main themes of the reading.