This document discusses how making connections helps readers better understand what they are reading. It explains that there are three types of connections readers can make: text-to-self, text-to-text, and text-to-world. Text-to-self connections link the text to the reader's own experiences. Text-to-text connections link the text to other texts the reader has read. Text-to-world connections link the text to broader world issues and events. The document provides examples of how readers can share and start their connections verbally or in writing.

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