Different Types of ReadingPart of your job as a developing student is to

learn the differing types of reading skills necessary in life. Whether reading for pleasure, for school, or for personal research, each distinct task calls for particular reading strategies and rhythms.

Even when performing academic reading, the nature of the reading process is shaped by each individual task (i.e. the reading of a poetic work to analyze tone greatly differs from reading a science textbook chapter for major concepts and key vocabulary).

Exploring English Essay PromptsWhen confronting a lengthy or convoluted writing

prompt, it is imperative to immediately highlight the major writing task while simultaneously considering the minor recommendations and finer points for consideration when writing. [Helpful hints – look for major verbs such as “outline, investigate, explore, explain” to locate the main writing chore. Then consider the remaining elements of the prompt.]

As you are drafting your response, habitually return to the heart of the prompt to ensure your answer remains on-track with the actual question. Also be sure to continually reconsider and weave in additional elements of the prompt that are peripheral to the major writing task.

English Essay Prompt ExampleIn most of Shakespeare’s works, the language itself

is as powerful as the plot. In a well-organized essay, highlight the playwright’s use of literary devices and imagery to express human emotions, develop tone, and/or establish one or more of the play’s themes. Be sure to do more than merely identify the use of particular literary devices; instead, explore the author’s purpose when employing figurative language and intense imagery. Be sure to use direct text evidence to support your findings.

English Essay Prompt ExampleWhen dissected for its major and minor parts, the lengthy

essay prompt boils down to this:

Major Writing Task- Highlight the playwright’s use of literary devices and imagery [in connection with] character’s emotions, tone, and theme.Minor Writing Recommendation – Do more than identify literary devices; instead define author’s purpose for the use of literary devices and imagery.

Approaching Math Word Problems UPS CheckUnderstand: Look for the question mark or

words like “find” or “determine”. Use this sentence to decide what the problem is asking for. Paraphrase the information to make sure you understand.

Plan: Highlight the numbers given (even when they are written as words, like three.) Then read the entire question. As you read, pay attention to the details (not just the overall ideas). Words like “by, to, of” become very important in a math problem.

Approaching Math Word ProblemsUPS Check (continued)Solve: Multistep problems may have to first

be broken down into a series of smaller problems. Keep the goal in mind as you are working (keep your focus on finding the answer to the original question).

Check: Check your answer first by making sure it answers the question that you were asked. Then plug it back in to the words (not the equation you created) and make sure it makes sense for that situation.

Example: Actual 9th grade TAKS Problem from a previous test

Solving Example:Understand: Look for: ? Question is: How

much would he earn if he sold $4000 worth of service contracts? What do they mean by how much? How much what? Answer: You are looking for how much money Antonio will make if he sells $4000 worth of stuff.

Plan: What do we know? He works 40 hours per week. He earns $6.50 per hour plus 3% commission. His hourly rate is being increased by (not to) $.15. His commission is being increased to (not by) 5%. He sells $4000.

Math ProblemSolve: Multistep Problem, so we will break it

down.

Antonio’s money (what we are looking for) = hourly pay plus commission.

Hourly Pay:$6.50 per hour increased by $.15 means his new hourly rate is $6.65. If he works 40 hours, he will make

(40)(6.65) = $266.

Math ProblemCommission:3% commission increased to 5% means his new commission is 5%. His commission on $4000 will be $200.

Antonio’s money (our goal) = hourly pay plus commission Answer = $266 + $200 = $466

Check - After determining a potential answer, there is one final and important step. It is now time to consider our final figure in light of the original word problem.

Keep in mind that Antonio is working 40 hours per week at a new rate of $6.65 per hour. Also remember that he has earned an additional commission of 5% of $4000 ($200).

Does it sound reasonable, in light of the word problem and its associated figures, that Antonio will be earning $466 for the week?

Math Problem