Name ___________________________________ Date Due: November 26th

Reading Guide: Textbook Learning (Breaking Through, Chapter 3)

Follow this guide as you read Chapter 3. Record your answers on this page, and have the
entire guide ready to turn in on the date listed above. Late papers will receive a grade
reduction and will not be accepted more than one class day past the due date. Items marked
with an asterisk (*) will be started in class.

1. *How can students best use their textbooks for learning? Complete this table
based on what we´ve discussed and what is recommended in chapter 3. Use the
major headings in Chapter 3 to fill in the column on the right.

How to Learn from College Textbooks

My Schemata (What I know already) Ch. 3 (What does the textbook
recommend?)

2. *Preview the chapter. List the parts you read in the preview.

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Did you include the learning questions, the introduction, and the summary?

3. Integrating Knowledge and Recall stages: Begin reading thoroughly.

Section: “Expect to Learn from Reading, p. 80.” Write three important tips about
reading textbooks. You should highlight them in your electronic text.

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Section: Annotating. What is annotating?

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When should annotating be done?

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In class, we briefly spoke about actively reading by annotating and circling major
details, underlining minor details and writing topics and abbreviated notes in the margin. It
is also smart to use a system of symbols and abbreviations. Which of the symbols on p. 82
do you already use?

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*Example: “How We Remember: Rehearsal.” Marginal notes are missing! Write the
three strategies and an example below. What strategy is discussed in paragraph 3?
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Write the three strategies and an example of each:

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Exercise 1: “Spatial Distances.” Using the example above, annotate the selection by
circling the four distances and underlining the truth about each. Number them in the
margin.

Write the four distances and the examples of each one on the lines:

Distance:
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Example:
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Section: “Take Notes” This section describes a method of note-taking called the Cornell
method, which you have already practiced. In the space below, draw lines showing how
you would format a page of Cornell notes.
Topic
Major detail Minor detail
Minor detail
Major detail Minor detail
Minor detail
Major detail Minor detail
Minor detail

Example, p. 84: Do you see the relationship between the items listed in the left column
and the details in the right column? How do they compare with the annotations of the same
passage on p. 81?
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Exercise 2: “Population Growth.” Read the selection, annotate it, and record the
topic, major and important minor details in Cornell form in the space.

Section: “Summarizing, p. 86” Read this section. Write the tips on how to write a
summary in the space.


Exercise 3: “Rattlesnake Surprise.” Read and follow the directions. Write the
summary in the space.
 Section: “Outlining, p. 90.” Read the instructional material about outlining and
the example.
In the space, arrange the following list of items in outline form: bees, plants,
living things, opossums, beetles, ants, trees, animals, mosses, coyotes, flowers,
lions, insects

*Example, p. 91: “How We Remember: Rehearsal.”

What is the relationship between the information in the outline and the annotations in the
selection on p. 81?
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Exercise 6: “The Six Types of Love.” Read and annotate the selection. Complete the
outline in your book.

Section: “Mapping,” p. 97. Read the instructional material.

“College students use mapping or charts to
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What information should go in the central shape of the map?

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*Example: “How We Remember: Rehearse.” What is the relationship between the

information in the map and the annotations in the selection on p. 81?
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Exercise: “Relief for Injuries.” Read and annotate the selection. Complete the map in
your textbook.
What is the topic? _____________________________

What are the four major details?

1) ______________________________ 3)______________________________

2)______________________________ 4)______________________________
Which would be easier and better? Underline or highlight your answer:

Writing a summary by looking at an unmarked selection or

Writing a summary from a set of Cornell, outline or map notes?

Section: “Summary Points, p. 102.” Read this section.

4. Recall and Reflection: Now that you have finished working with Chapter
3, what have you learned about learning from college textbooks?
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Which of the note-taking methods do you like the best?

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Why?
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How will you use this information in your present and future college classes from
now on?
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