Determining What is Important
Being able to figure out what is important in the text happens BEFORE you even start reading. Readers must decide the purpose for reading, asking questions that will guide their search for information in the text. When reading NONFICTION, readers need to look at text features (headings, subheadings, bold-faced print, timelines, pictures with captions, charts, etc.) in order to help them understand what they read.
In order to help your child with this process, go through the text with them, talking about these features before they read. See if there is a particular picture or heading that grabs your child’s interest and start there. (In many nonfiction books, the chapters don’t necessarily have to be read in order.)
Asking your child to share what he or she already knows about the topic can also help them understand what they read, and inspire them to find out more!
In order to help your child with this process, go through the text with them, talking about these features before they read. See if there is a particular picture or heading that grabs your child’s interest and start there. (In many nonfiction books, the chapters don’t necessarily have to be read in order.)
Asking your child to share what he or she already knows about the topic can also help them understand what they read, and inspire them to find out more!