This document provides strategies for reading comprehension before, during, and after reading. Some suggested before reading strategies include doing a book walk, activating background knowledge on the topic, determining the reading purpose, and creating a K-W-L chart. During reading, strategies involve finding a comfortable reading speed, taking notes, rereading for understanding, making predictions, and pausing to summarize. After reading strategies comprise summarizing, writing in a reflection journal, filling out a story map and K-W-L chart, drawing a picture of a favorite part, and discussing references. The strategies aim to improve focus, engagement, comprehension, and retention of reading material.

1. Before, during, and after reading
strategies
Debbie Pollack: RED 4348

2. You have a fantastic new book in front of
you! What important strategies can you do
before you begin reading?

3. Take a book walk!
Look at the cover, illustrations, maps, and graphs that may be inside.
Does anything you see give you clues for what the story may be about?
Write down any predictions you have. It will be exciting to see if your
predictions you made were correct after reading the story!

4. Activate background knowledge
Now that you have completed your book walk, you probably have a
general idea of what the story may be about. Now, it is time to think
about what you already know about this topic. Activate your
background knowledge! Write down anything about the topic that you
already know, pair up with a classmate and share your information.
THINK, PAIR, SHARE!
You may learn something new even before reading the story!

5. What is your purpose for reading this text?
No matter what you are reading, always know what your purpose is for
reading that particular story. Are you reading for pleasure? Are you
reading to learn more about a topic? Write down your purpose. This will
help you focus on the task before you!
Think to
yourself…..why am I
reading this
material? What is
my purpose?

6. Create a K-W-L chart
In the ‘K’ column, write down what you already know about the topic.
In the ‘W’ column, write things you want to learn from reading the text.
Leave the ‘L’ column blank. This will be filled in after you read the story.
Here, you will write down all the new information you have learned!

7. Skim the text
Look for challenging words that you may need to find the meaning of to
better understand the story. As a class, with a partner, or by using a
dictionary or computer, discover the meanings of these words. By doing
so, you will be able to focus on comprehending the story and not get
stuck on difficult words! Be a word detective!

8. So what's next?
You have completed all of the before reading strategies. Now its on to
the main event…. Reading the story!
There are many strategies you can do while you are reading in order to
increase your comprehension and understanding.
Lets discuss some during reading
strategies!

9. Find your comfortable reading speed
Remember: There is no need to rush! Slow down and absorb every word
you are reading. Take the time to look at pictures, graphs, and maps.
These elements can tell you a lot of useful information!

10. Post-it notes
As you read, write down your thoughts on post-it notes. Did you find a
certain part to be especially interesting? Were you able to relate to
something that the author said? Go ahead, write it down! Doing so will
help you better connect to the story. Besides, post- it notes are so much
fun!
Write down
your
thoughts!

11. Reread for understanding
Rereading sections of the story can clarify anything that may have been confusing to
you the first time reading through. You may discover new, interesting information
you missed the first time around!
Maybe there is a word you did not understand. Reread and use your context clue
skills to figure out its meaning. This will help the story make a whole lot more
sense!
Good readers reread!

12. Take a pause!
After a few pages or at the end of each chapter, take a pause and
summarize. What important information does the author want you to
know? What was the section or chapter about? Do you understand what
you are reading? Remember, it is ok to reread for understanding!
Press the
pause button
and
summarize!

13. Make predictions
What do you think is going to happen next? By using your background
knowledge on the subject you are reading about, you can make
predictions on what you think is going to happen next. Making
predictions will help you stay focused and engaged with the text. You
will want to continue reading to see what happens next and if your
predictions are correct!

14. Congratulations! You have finished reading the
story….but learning is far from over!
Now that you have read the story, lets discuss strategies you can use
after reading to enhance your comprehension of the story!

15. Lets summarize!
What was the story about? What important information do you think the
author wanted you to discover? Summarize what the story was about.

16. Create a reading reflection journal
This is a place to write down a summary of the story, but also your
thoughts about what you read. Did you enjoy the story? Did you find it
easy to understand? Did you have a favorite part?
Recording your reflections for each story that you read not only
improves your comprehension, but you will have a record of everything
that you have read!

17. Fill in your story map
Story maps are an excellent way to summarize what you have read.
These maps include elements such as the setting, characters, plot, and
main events that happened at the beginning, middle, and end of the
story.
What a great way to gather your thoughts and focus on all the new
things you have learned!

18. Fill in the ‘L’ on your K-W-L chart
You have already recorded what you know and what you want to learn
from reading the story. Now that you have read, it is time to fill in the
‘L’ on your chart: You guessed it, write down all the new information
and knowledge you have gained!
Did you answer any of the questions in your ‘W’ column? Write them
down to complete your chart!

19. Draw a picture of your favorite part of the
story!
Who doesn’t love to draw?! Drawing a picture of your favorite part of
the story enhances your comprehension while also allowing you to
express your creative side.
Go ahead, get out those crayons, markers, and colored pencils and
DRAW!

20. References
Before Reading. (n.d.). Retrieved November 18, 2015, from
http://www.scps.k12.fl.us/curriculum/AcademicCore/LanguageArtsandReading/SecondaryReading/BeforeReading
.aspx
Strategies to Use During and After Reading. (n.d.). Retrieved November 18, 2015, from
http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonrepro/lessonplans/profbooks/strategies.htm
Understanding the Relationship Between Reading Comprehension Skills and Strategies. (n.d.). Retrieved November 18, 2015,
from
http://www.cde.state.co.us/sites/default/files/documents/coloradoliteracy/clf/downloads/understanding_the_rel
ationship_between_reading_comprehension_skills_and_strategies.pdf