Explicit strategy instruction is at the core of good vocabulary, comprehension, and writing instruction.
“Before” strategies activate students’ prior knowledge and set a purpose for reading and writing. “During” strategies help students make connections, monitor their understanding, generate questions, and stay focused. “After” strategies provide students an opportunity to summarize, question, reflect, discuss, and respond to text.
Teachers should help students to understand why a strategy is useful, how it is used, and when it is appropriate. Teacher demonstration and modeling are critical factors for success, and student discussion following strategy instruction is also helpful.
These research-based strategies can be applied across content areas.
Before Reading
Anticipation Guides
Before Reading Anticipation Guides pdf
Comprehension
Concept Sorts
Before Reading
Comprehension
Vocabulary
First Lines
Before Reading First Lines doc First Lines pdf
Comprehension
Listen-Read-Discuss (LRD)
Before Reading
Comprehension
Mnemonics
Before Reading
Comprehension
Vocabulary
Peer-Assisted Learning Strategy
Before Reading
Comprehension
Vocabulary
Writing
Think Alouds
Before Reading
Comprehension
Think-Pair-Share
Before Reading
Comprehension
During Reading
Concept Maps
During Reading Concept Maps doc Concept Maps pdf
Comprehension
Directed Reading Thinking Activity (DRTA)
During Reading
Comprehension
Comprehension
Vocabulary
Inferential Reading
During Reading
Comprehension
Inquiry Charts (I-Charts)
During Reading Inquiry Charts (I-Charts) pdf
Comprehension
Writing
Jigsaw
During Reading Jigsaw doc Jigsaw pdf
Comprehension
Monitoring/Clarifying
During Reading
Comprehension
Paired Reading
During Reading
Comprehension
Paragraph Shrinking
During Reading
Comprehension
Writing
Partner Reading
During Reading
Comprehension
Power Notes
During Reading Power Notes doc Power Notes pdf
Comprehension
Prediction Relay
During Reading
Comprehension
Reading Guides
During Reading
Comprehension
Reciprocal Teaching
During Reading
Comprehension
Vocabulary
Writing
Seed Discussion
During Reading
Comprehension
Selective Highlighting
During Reading
Comprehension
Vocabulary
Writing
SQ3R: Survey-Question-Read-Recite-Review
During Reading
Comprehension
Story Maps
During Reading Story Maps doc Story Maps pdf
Comprehension
Writing
Structured Notetaking
During Reading
Comprehension
Text Structure
During Reading
Comprehension
After Reading
Exit Slips
After Reading Exit Slips doc Exit Slips pdf
Comprehension
Frame Routine
After Reading Frame Routine doc Frame Routine pdf
Comprehension
Question the Author (QtA)
After Reading
Comprehension
Question-Answer Relationship (QAR)
After Reading
Comprehension
Summarizing
After Reading
Comprehension
Comprehension