• Unit 2: Reading to Comprehend

    Unit 2 introduces reading actively. You will learn how to use basic reading strategies to understand simple non-fiction texts. Finally, you will use these reading skills to demonstrate your understanding of a short reading.

    Students must read a lot of materials to prepare for classes and submit assignments. When we read to learn something new, we read actively. In this unit, you will learn about different active reading strategies to help you understand what you read.

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 4 hours.

    • Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

      • identify basic informational text features and structures; and
      • apply active reading strategies for literal and interpretive comprehension.

    • 2.1: Active Reading

      Reading textbooks can be challenging compared to a novel or website. Students often spend lots of time re-reading without remembering what they just read. If you use active reading strategies, you will understand and remember what you have read more successfully. This section will show you how to be a better student by improving your reading skills for two main benefits: prepare you to be more focused when reading to decrease unnecessary reading time and increase your understanding and ability to focus.

        • 2.1.1: Active Reading: Let's Study

          These materials include information about basic active reading strategies useful for understanding informational or non-fiction texts. After you read the explanations and watch the videos to learn about active reading strategies, you will have a chance to test your understanding by completing practice activities.

          • Active Reading Overview Page

            Good reading is not simply a matter of taking in information – you need to do more than that. Let's start by looking at what it means to be an active reader.

          • Previewing and Predicting Page

            In this section, you will learn about previewing a text to prepare for reading. This will help you understand the text more clearly and use your time better.

          • Skimming and Scanning Page

            After preparing to read by previewing and predicting, there are other strategies we can use to understand a text passage. In this section, you will learn about skimming and scanning. These strategies will help you find the main idea and details presented in a nonfiction text.

        • 2.1.2: Active Reading: Let's Practice

          Now that we know some active reading strategies, let's put our knowledge into practice.

          • Active Reading Practice Book

            The activities below allow you to find out how well you understand active reading strategies. If you have a difficult time recognizing reading strategies and informational text features, you may return to review the information in the Let's Study section and then try these practice activities again.

          • Let's Play a Predicting Game! Page

            In this activity, you will make predictions about a reading.

        • 2.1.3: Active Reading: Let's Apply

          Now that you know basic active reading strategies, let's see if we can easily use them to understand a simple informational text.

      • 2.2: Putting It All Together

        You have learned about some active reading skills that can help you be a better reader. This is a lot to take in, for sure! This section will help you review what you have learned in Unit 2.
        • Let's Review Unit 2 Page

          Watch these videos, which provide a basic overview of some of the active reading skills you have learned about in this unit.

      • Unit 2 Assessment

        • Reading Comprehension Page

          In this activity, you will answer questions about a story by reading and identifying important details.