Jackie Robinson Video
Watch this video (04:06) about Jackie Robinson.
(It is the first video on this page; scroll down the page to find it.)
Writing to Read
Did you know that writing is a great tool for improving your reading? After you read any kind of text, your reading comprehension will improve if you write a summary about what you have read. Writing makes you organize the information that you read. Comprehension requires building a connection or relationship with the ideas in the text. That may sound corny, but don't knock it until you've tried it.
Read the selection about Jackie Robinson. (Printable version)
If the link doesn't take you directly to the reading, please follow the directions below.
- Go to AVL.
- Select High School under Student Resources.
- Select Britannica School High.
- In the Search box, type Jackie Robinson.
Pay attention to the key words, phrases, and concepts in the text.
When you write a summary of a text, you are taking the reading and reducing it into the key ideas, or main points, that are worth remembering or telling someone else. Summarizing should not be writing down everything from the selection word for word. Rather, you should pull out the main ideas and key details by using key words and phrases. Break down the larger ideas so that you are conveying the "gist" of the selection. If it is not something that will help you or someone else understand or remember, then don't write it down.
Writing a summary is like watching a commercial. Commercials are short and sweet; they get to the point so that the consumer will remember the product to buy. In your writing, you want to focus on the big picture, but you don't want to say it in a lot of words. Your summary will focus on facts and details from the reading.
- Create a topic sentence that states the main idea.
- Make sure you include the title and author in your introduction.
Think of writing your summary as a journalist. Provide the reader with key information:
- Who?
- What?
- Where?
- When?
- Why?
- How?
Once you have written your answers to the 5Ws and H questions, arrange the ideas in clear sentences with essential facts and details. Position your ideas in a logical order. Add names, explanations, or descriptions. Finally, conclude your summary with a sentence that ties the ideas together.
"Jackie Robinson"
Listen to "Jackie Robinson" by Ellis Paul Publishing.
Who is the song about?
What is the song about?
Where?
Why?
How?
What does the author want people to know in his song?
Fluency
You have been recording different genres in this class, but do you know why you are doing this?
Oral reading is another strategy that may help improve several reading skills necessary to become an effective reader.
The ability to read a text accurately helps bridge your word recognition and reading comprehension. Many students have a fear of reading orally in front of peers. Practicing your oral reading will help get rid of the anxiety you may have. Then, instead of worrying about how your reading is in front of the class, you can simply devote the attention to understanding the word you are reading.
Reading fluency is how you read your text.
- Do you read accurately, or do you mumble words you don't know?
- Do you read quickly, or do you read slowly for fear of not knowing a word?
- Do you read with expression, or do you read in a monotone?