READING Strategy ® SQ3R
Reading component Comprehension
Related Standard(s) of Learning 2.8, 3.5, 3.6, 4.4, 4.5, 5.5, 5.6
Overview of the strategy
SQ3R (Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review) is a study strategy that students may use throughout the
reading process. Using this strategy, students first preview texts in order to make predictions and
generate questions to help direct their reading. As students read, they actively search for answers to
their questions, and, when they have finished reading, they summarize what they have read and review
their notes, thus monitoring and evaluating their own comprehension.
1. Explain to the students that SQ3R, which stands for Survey, Question, Read, Recite, and Review, is a study
strategy which will help them read and understand texts independently.
2. Select a text that the class has not read. The text should be not too long and should contain graphics,
illustrations, and typographical features, such as headings and subheadings. Distribute the text to the
class, and explain that the class will be reading the text together to learn the SQ3R strategy.
3. Using the selected text, model the SQ3R strategy, noting the strategy’s steps on a board, chart, or
overhead projector:
· Survey what you are about to read. Consider the title. Ask what students already know about this
subject and what they want to know more about. Look at the headings, and skim the topic
sentences of the paragraphs. Examine the illustrations and other graphic elements. Read the last
paragraph or summary.
· Question. Use questions to set the purpose for the reading. Change the title, headings, subheadings, and
illustrations and graphics into questions. Write down any unfamiliar vocabulary in order to determine its
meaning.
· Read actively. Respond to and locate answers to the questions generated above, using context
clues to help with unfamiliar words. As you read, generate additional questions by focusing on
unclear passages, confusing terms, and questionable statements.
· Recite. Recall the answers and the information from the book without referring back to the text
and notes. Recite the answers to questions aloud or in writing. Reread the text for unanswered
questions.
· Review. Answer the major purpose questions (from the title and subheadings). Review the answers and all
sections of the chapter to help organize information. Summarize the information learned, depicting main
ideas by using graphic organizer, paragraph summary, or group discussion.
Sources
· F. Robinson, Effective Study (New York: Harper and Row, 1961).
· R. Billmeyer and M. L. Barton, Teaching Reading in the Content Areas (Aurora, Colo.: McREL, 1998).
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