Synthesising
Synthesising describes what happens when all reading strategies work together and culminate into a fuller and more satisfying understanding of text. It therefore largely depends on the other reading strategies. If the reader does not engage with the text by using all of the discussed strategies, they are unlikely to reach a full appreciation of the author's message.
As students read, they develop their understandings by merging prior knowledge, beliefs, emotions and views with new interpretations, learning and insights they draw from text and other sources (Read, Record, Respond). It is this thinking and reflection which brings together the readers understanding."
As students read, they develop their understandings by merging prior knowledge, beliefs, emotions and views with new interpretations, learning and insights they draw from text and other sources (Read, Record, Respond). It is this thinking and reflection which brings together the readers understanding."
"the culmination of all other strategies" (Gear, 2008, p.124)
Questions and ideas for the Classroom
- "Why did the author write that......"
- "What did that part mean?" - "The text made more sense when...." - "I realised from the part when.....that...." - "How has my knowledge/feelings/opinion changed?" - Create a 'fact' and 'response' chart, and have students record their response to certain parts of a text. Get them to read the text in entirety and compare their responses to their comprehension of the book. "How and why did your response change?" - Record students' changing thoughts as you progress through a class text in a circular chart with first thoughts in the centre and final thoughts in the outer circle. - Read a book on a familiar topic and ask "What do you know now that built on what you already knew?" "How has your understanding changed?" - "I used this strategy to help me understand that......." |
I used the above thought chart during placement and found it very useful to students for building upon and synthesising their thoughts.
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Further Resources
http://www.readinglady.com/mosaic/tools/Synthesis%20handout%20by%20Deb%20Smith.pdf
http://ohiorc.org/adlit/strategy/strategy_each.aspx?id=000002
http://pearson.com.au/media/641418/teachingreadcomp.pdf at p. 143-147
http://ohiorc.org/adlit/strategy/strategy_each.aspx?id=000002
http://pearson.com.au/media/641418/teachingreadcomp.pdf at p. 143-147