Directed Reading-Thinking
Activities
While the previously mentioned lesson plan sequence helps make
reading in the content areas more comprehensible, some students need
more explicit and direct guidance from their teachers in order to
comprehend textbook readings. Directed Reading-Thinking
Activities (DRTA) provide this kind of guidance. Recall the
five steps involved in DRTAs (also highlighted on page 95 of the study guide).
- PREVIEW the reading. Look at the title, headings,
summary and pictures.
- PREDICT what the reading is about after looking at the title,
headings, pictures, and/or after reading a small portion of the
text.
- READ the text silently in predetermined sections.
- CHECK predictions by confirming or refuting their accuracy
with evidence from the text.
- SUMMARIZE main points after the text has been completely
read.
