Blueprinting a Textbook

Textbooks can be one of the hardest pieces of writing for students to read. Reading a textbook is different than reading a novel. Students need to be aware of how different elements and features in a textbook can help them acquire information. In addition, students need to understand that reading a textbook involves using a critical eye.

Types of Text Elements and Features

• Types of Text
• Sidebars and Pull Boxes
• Typography (bold, italics, underline)
• Color
• Symbols and Icons
• Images and Graphics
• Organization
• Headers and Footers
• And more!

Text features like bold, italics, and underlining can help students find important key terms or vocabulary. Maps, graphs, and pictures can provide important information that can't be shared in a paragraph. Other elements such as sidebars and pull boxes can provide relevant information that brings the student beyond the ideas in the textbook.

Providing strategies to help students interact with the textbook at the start of school year can be key in helping them succeed. Below are some links to sites with textbook strategies. In addition, I am available to come in to your class and share some of these strategies with students.

Text Feature Analysis

http://www.greece.k12.ny.us/instruction/ela/6-12/tools/textbookanalysis.pdf

http://www.wmich.edu/asc/files/TextbookReadingStrategies.pdf

SQR3

http://www.webster.edu/acadaffairs/asp/handbook/n.html

http://www.sandburg.edu/trio/workshops/reading_comprehension_skills.pdf

SQRW -- a version of SQR3

http://www.how-to-study.com/pqr.htm

Multiple Textbook Strategies

http://academic.cuesta.edu/acasupp/as/600INDEX.HTM