INSERT (Interactive Notation System to Effective Reading and Thinking) Based on Vaughan and

Estes (1986).

INSERT is a during-reading strategy that helps readers consciously interact with text to clarify
their thinking. INSERT gets readers interacting with the text by "inserting" their thoughts into the
ideas proposed by the text to monitor their comprehension and make decisions such as, “I knew
that,” “I don’t understand,” and “That’s really important.” The decisions included in INSERT
embody a range of ways text can be understood. Since the decisions are conscious and noted,
they can be discussed, examined, justified, and modified. These types of decisions provide a
basis for critical thinking and reasoning by clarifying what one thinks about the ideas presented in
the text. The decision-making process students engage in is better than underlining for three
reasons. First, most students in public schools are not permitted to underline in their books.
Second, underlining is often less helpful because developing learners are not clear about what to
underline. Third, underlining is not important, but the reason for underlining is important. INSERT
makes the reason for the notation immediately apparent at a glance. We consider INSERT an
ideal strategy to prepare students for discussion after they read.

Procedure:
Students make the following INSERT notations during reading. Notations may be made directly in
the text, on sticky notes attached to the text, or on a paper folded into four columns (page number
is written at the top of each column) to help them monitor their comprehension, interact with text,
and consciously make decisions about the ideas in the text.

INSERT Reminder
I agree =  That's new = + I wonder = ?
I disagree = X That's important = * I don't understand = ??

Options:
Consider introducing this strategy gradually to students based on their developmental level. For
example, young or immature readers might only use the "" and "" to start. When they become
used to these notations, introduce others.
Create your own notations, but remember that students must understand when to use notations
and why they are using them. The object of INSERT is to get students to monitor their
comprehension and critically consider the ideas they find in text.