MAX Teaching with Reading and Writing - Ects.org

INSERTINTERACTIVE NOTATION SYSTEM FOR EFFECTIVE READING AND THINKINGDESCRIPTIONINSERT is a strategy that students can use during the Acquisition and EXtension phasesof the lesson. It is a study aid employing a set of symbols which helps the student monitorcomprehension of text. During reading, the student is constantly making decisions abouthis/her reactions to the text—“I knew that”, “I don’t understand that”, “I don’t agree withthat”, “I must remember that”, etc. These reactions are noted (lightly in pencil) in the marginof the text using a set of symbols. Marks can easily be erased periodically after completingstudy and evaluation of the chapter, unit, or semester’s work. If this marking cannot bepermitted, a strip of paper can be folded over at the top of the page so that each end lies downthe inside margin of the two pages. Marks can be placed on this strip which can be left in thebook until that unit of study is completed.When first introducing this strategy to students, the number of symbols used should belimited to only a few. I usually first use a check ( ) and a question mark ( ? ) representing,“I understand.” and, “I don’t understand.”A pre-reading activity would precede the use of this strategy. If you have had the classbrainstorm what they know about the topic, the comments represented by the symbols wouldbe in many cases refer to this information as well as to what the individual student knows.Note how the information identified by the INSERT symbols forms an excellent basis forclass discussion following reading.PROCEDUREGuided Reading1. Tell students that as they read, you want them to think about what they already know aboutthe topic and the new information they are learning. As they read, you want them to makesome decisions about the text and their understanding of what they are reading.2. Provide students with a copy of the INSERT symbols and their meanings. These also couldbe placed on a wall poster for easy reference. Once students are familiar with the symbols,a bookmark with abbreviated definitions can help them as they study at home. Key wordsfor the bookmark are placed in the right column after the symbols.©2004 MAX Teaching with Reading & Writing, 6857 TR 215, Findlay, OH 45840, 404-441-7008 http://www.maxteaching.com33