The authors suggest a variety of reading and learning strategies that enhance reading to learn in three ways: activating prior content knowledge, mastering vocabulary, and making sense
of unfamiliar text styles.
Teachers might help children see the benefits and limitations of both approaches, as complementary sets of strategies to use when
tackling unfamiliar texts.
By the end of the course, students are able to use strategies for critical reading, argumentative writing, and independent thinking while
reading unfamiliar texts and responding to them in discussion and writing.
Two other Troy teachers, from the elementary and the high school, shared how their students were similarly struggling to
deconstruct unfamiliar texts in English & Language Arts.
During guided oral reading
of unfamiliar text, helping the child apply knowledge of letters, sounds, and words, using this information in combination with comprehending
At various stages in the Headsprout reading program, a benchmark assessment is administered to each student to ensure they have a firm grasp on the skills covered in the program and are able to transfer these skills to reading new and
unfamiliar text.