Connecting yourself to the text

1. Making Connections
Ashley Brown
Westwood Elementary, 2005

2. What are Connections?
• Connections are links that readers
can make between what they are
reading and things they already know
about.

3. Why should we make
connections?
• Good readers make connections to
better understand what they are
reading.

4. How do readers make
connections?
• Good readers use their own
background knowledge and prior
experiences to make connections.
• There are 3 different ways that a
reader can make connections …

5. ~ Types of Connections ~
• Text – to – Self
• Text – to - Text
• Text – to - World

6. Connection:
Text – to - Self
• These are connections that readers
make between the text (what you are
reading) and their own past
experiences and/or background
knowledge.

7. Connection:
Text – to - Text
• These are connections that readers make
between the text they are reading and
other texts the reader has read before.
• Other kinds of texts might include books,
poems, scripts, songs, or anything written.
• You could even include movies or television
shows that you have seen before.

8. Connection:
Text – to - World
• These are connections that readers make
between the text and the bigger issues,
events, or concerns of society.
• To make these types of connections the
reader must think about what is going on in
the world around them.

9. Response Options for
Sharing Connections …
• Verbal Reponses –
The reader would discuss the connections
they made with a text aloud with others in
a group.
• Written Responses –
The reader would write the connections
they could make with a text down on a
sheet of paper or in a response journal.

10. Ways to Start your
Connections …
“That reminds me of … “
“Remember when … “
“This is like … “
“This character makes me
think of …”
“This setting reminds me of … “

11. ~ Let’s Practice ~
Our Text:
The Best School Year Ever
by: Barbara Robinson