The Active Reading Model

This Active Reading Model is based on the steps followed in the reading process:

• Pre-reading activity
• First reading for the general idea
• Paying attention to the text
• Second reading for the full meaning
• Responding to the text.

This model can be used for developing independent reading. The text to be read can be fictional or non-fictional.

Click here to download the handout of  The Active Reading Model (PDF 70kb).

Introducing the Model

After selecting a text, the tutor models all the steps in the Active Reading Model to show the process to the student(s). The tutor may develop questions at each step of the model to discuss the text . Some examples are given below.

After Pre-Reading Activities:

• What do you think the text is about?
• What do you already know about the text / topic?

After the First Reading:

• What is the main point / idea in the text?

Working with the text:

• See the model.

After the Second Reading:

• Respond to the text depending upon the type of the text.
• See the model.

Then for the next learning session, the tutor encourages the student to bring or select a text to be read and assists the student to follow the steps of the model.

The student should repeat the Active Reading Model using different texts and after a few attempts try to answer the above questions mentally.

When the student is confident in following the steps while reading, he/she can select and read texts independently and discuss each text in detail with the tutor.

Note:

Encourage students to bring / select the text for reading. The text should not be too easy or too difficult. It should be at a level just higher than what the student can read already.