Minds On
Before, during, and after reading
Think about what you do before, during, and after reading.
Perhaps you read by:
- examining the cover for clues
- adjusting previously made predictions
- continuing to review what you have learned when you are finished reading
Student Tips
Strategies
Learners use strategies. For example, they ask questions before, during and after reading.
They do this to check their understanding, predict what they might read next, and to try to better understand new information on a topic or characters in a story.
Brainstorm
Types of strategies
Consider what kinds of strategies you use before, during, and after reading or listening to a text.
Action
What is reflection?
Reflection is a great strategy to help us make predictions, check our understanding, and solidify our learning.
Explore “New Roots, New Beginnings”, or a book of your choice. Examine the following chart of questions that you can use to reflect before, during, and after reading.
The following component is not optimized for a non-visual experience. A transcript is available.
Complete the Before, During, and After Reading Question Chart in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document.
| Before | During | After |
|---|---|---|
| What do I already know about this topic? | What does mean? | What were the key events in the story? |
| What do I think will happen in the story? | How is this character connected to the others? | What new vocabulary did I learn? |
| What vocabulary might be in this passage? | How would I react to a situation like this? | How would I describe the characters? |
| What do I think this book/story will be about? | What do I think will happen next? | How would I describe the setting? |
| Are the predictions I made correct? | What new information on the topic did I learn? | |
| What do I predict will happen now? | ||
Press the Activity button to access the Before, During, and After Reading Question Chart.
Activity (Open PDF in a new tab)Task 1: Before reading
Begin by examining the title and cover of a book of your choice.
Using the questions to guide you, record three questions and the possible answers to those questions before reading the text. Record the letter “B,” to indicate “before” next to these questions. You can also use a reference method of your choice to indicate how you wish to track the questions you use.
Complete the Before Reading Questions and Responses in your notebook or use the following fillable and printable document.
| Ask Yourself | Response |
|---|---|
Press the Activity button to access the Before Reading Questions and Responses.
Activity (Open PDF in a new tab)Task 2: During reading
Begin reading the story. Using the question list to guide you, record the questions and possible answers you reflected on. Record the letter “D” to indicate “during” next to these questions, or continue to use another reference method of your choice.
Some questions may not necessarily have an answer, but reflecting on these questions will help you to think more deeply about the story.
Complete the During Reading Questions and Responses in your notebook or use the following fillable and printable documents.
| Ask Yourself | Response |
|---|---|
Press the Activity button to access the During Reading Questions and Responses.
Activity (Open PDF in a new tab)After Reading
Student Tips
Reflecting
Reflecting as we read a text helps us to learn new information and confirm or rethink our previous predictions.
Once you have completed the story, record the questions that you used. Record the letter “A” to indicate “after” next to these questions or continue to use a reference method of your choice.
Complete the After Reading Questions and Responses in your notebook or use the following fillable and printable documents.
| Ask Yourself | Response |
|---|---|
Press the Activity button to access the After Reading Questions and Responses.
Activity (Open PDF in a new tab)Consolidation
Reflection
Reflecting on our learning helps us to strengthen our reading skills. Think about how using questions before, during, and after reading helped you to better understand and interact with the text
Use the template provided or another method of your choice to record your reflection.
Complete the Reflection Questions in your notebook or use the following fillable and printable document.
Reflection
How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel...
Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.