This document provides tips for effectively reading textbooks. It recommends activating background knowledge by previewing chapters, looking at titles, pictures and summaries. It also suggests taking notes on key points and marking important sections. Forming study groups can help with understanding difficult concepts. Different learning styles should be considered, such as auditory, visual and kinesthetic styles. Questions should be asked to clarify any unclear parts of the reading.

1. Reading a TextbookSonja Franeta, English as a Second Language Instructor

2. Textbooks are difficultThey are not pleasure readingThey are meant to give informationThe words and concepts are complexYou are not aloneASK QUESTIONSYou will find the answers.

3. Form study groupsHelp each other

4. Some myths about readingYou have to read every word.You have to read everything in order.Reading one time should be enough.Don’t skim or you won’t remember things.Looking at the pictures will distract you.NOT TRUE!!!

5. The BrainWorks by associationsYou have a lot of experience and knowledge.Activate your background knowledge!

6. Everyone is different.We have different learning styles.AuditoryVisualKinestheticWe have Multiple Intelligences

7. Academics have emphasized the linguistic and logical intelligences but you are studying kinesthetically—hands on.More learning opportunities.

8. How to read a textbook?Don’t be intimidated.You are reading it for a purpose. What are you trying to find out?The drill press unit—p.335

9. Look at the title and think about what you know about drill presses before reading.The book gives you a lot of help with summaries and review questions.You can look them over.

10. Preview the chapterRead the titleAnd the first and last paragraphsLook at subheadingsRead anything boldfaced and italicized.Look at pictures and charts.Get associations going and think about the subject.

11. Read the chapterMark things you want to go back to with “*” or an abbreviation like “imp” or other marksUnderline important terms with explanationsPut question marks where you don’t understand or want to ask about

12. Take notesTo help you remember:Jot down the title of the section or chapterWhat are the key points?write down the page numbers you want to remember.

13. You can also preview the chapter or unit and think about what the main idea isThen go back to the parts that interest you. For example, maybe you just want to find out about tapping.

14. It is important to find out the main idea.Does it fit with your purpose?

15. Make vocabulary flashcardsOn one side the wordOn the other side the definition, maybe its usage.

16. If you want to study a chapter, use the review questionsIf you don’t have review questions, write a question that goes with each paragraph or subheading as a way of summarizing.

17. What unit of measure is used for cutting speed?What is spotting, and why is it performed?What is pecking or peck drilling?Why is it better to tap on drill press rather than hand tap?Now for some detective work!

18. On a piece of paper:What did you learn?What was helpful?Do you have questions? Sonja Franeta 464-3238sfraneta@peralta.edu