Another reading comprehension strategy that teachers have been trained in is the use of graphic organizers. In an effort to help my students analyze the text, I have taken my lecture notes (summary of information in our text book) and created concept maps (also known as "webs").* I consider these webs as the "bare bones" or "skeleton" of the section we just read and discussed. Key words / ideas are connected by lines depending on how these concepts relate to each other. Students are required to use the web, add THEIR OWN words to the concepts, and write a paragraph about the information. Most section paragraphs would consist of 7 to 9 sentences. Below is an example of an unusually large concept map where the paragraph may need 10 to 15 sentences. I've tried to show how to select related concepts within the web, add a few words of my own, and begin writing a paragraph.
* The use of graphic organizers (a.k.a. "concept map" or "web") follow the required Common Core Reading
Anchor Standard 5.
* The use of graphic organizers (a.k.a. "concept map" or "web") follow the required Common Core Reading
Anchor Standard 5.