INSERT

Definition:

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 dont understand, and Thats 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 reas on 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 du ring 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 cons ciously make decisions about the ideas in the text.

INSERT Reminder I agree = 3 I disagree = X That's new = + That's important = * I wonder = ? 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 "3" and "2" 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.

Reinforcement:

While students in grades 4 6 often have the necessary skills to decode wo rds, they sometimes struggle with comprehending the words they have read. In this lesson, students use the INSERT (Interactive Notation to Effective Reading and Thinking) technique to help them monitor their own thinking and make connections between texts and their own experiences. Students begin with an introduction to the strategy and a teacher -directed demonstration of the strategy using a text about mummies. Students are then given an opportunity to practice the strategy in small groups and reflect on the benefits of the INSERT technique. In subsequent sessions, students are divided into three instructional -level groups to practice using the strategy and participate in various writing and reading activities.