Non-Fiction Reading Skills

Step 1: Choose a Skill

- Each lesson can be used multiple times with the same students. Choose different reading material each time. This gives the students a chance to become comfortable with the format and the expectations so they can focus on the skill.

- Model, model, model, model!

- Demonstrate the skill in detail, explaining your thinking process out loud, especially for struggling students.

- Show the assignment page on an overhead projector. Read the article together. Pause and describe your thoughts as you look for the information needed to complete each part of the assignment.

- The first time you give an assignment, complete at least the first half of it as a whole class. Give the students multiple chances to hear you explain how to use the skill before asking them to try it on their own.

- Allow students to work together. Talking through the work may help them clarify their thinking and gives you a chance to listen in and better understand how much they are able to do.

		Determine Main Idea and Identify Details (Grades 3-10, RIT 191-220) Create an outline using main ideas, supporing details	Materials: - Main Ideas Outline Template
		Sequence Events (Grades 3-6, RIT 191-220) Students draw a plot diagram and label events in order
		Identify Cause and Effect (Grades 3-10, RIT 191-220) Match events to their outcomes throughout a story	Materials: - Cause and Effect Matrix - Cause and Effect Path
		Distinguish Between Fact and Opinion (Grades 3-10, RIT 191-220) Explore viewpoints, then students express own ideas	Materials: - Fact vs. Opinion Chart