Coding Text
Coding text is an activity that can be done during reading to help students become conscious of, and keep track of, their metal processes as they are reading. It also helps students become familiar with the thinking strategies of effective readers. Coding text is helpful because it gives students specific tasks to focus on in order to facilitate deep thinking. Furthermore, designating a symbol to a thinking strategy helps students to remember the strategy and think about using it.
This activity involves establishing a system of codes with which students must become familiar. Teachers can decide on a set of codes for the students, or the class can work together in developing their own class set of codes tailored to the subject area. The codes stand for thoughts that might be (should be) going on in a reader’s mind as he or she is reading. These thoughts may include recognizing confusion, making connections, evaluating importance, or discovering new information. I have provided an example of what some of these codes might look like in the image below. If your class is working with a book they cannot write in, students can write their symbols on small post-it notes and stick them onto the page.
A few key tips for successfully coding text:
· Introduce only one or two symbols at a time.
· Make sure to model! As you slowly introduce codes, show students when and how they might use them.
· Provide students with ample opportunities for practice, allowing time for discussion and sharing.
· Be sure not to include too many codes. If students have to spend time remembering too many symbols and what they stand for, this activity loses it effectiveness.
This activity involves establishing a system of codes with which students must become familiar. Teachers can decide on a set of codes for the students, or the class can work together in developing their own class set of codes tailored to the subject area. The codes stand for thoughts that might be (should be) going on in a reader’s mind as he or she is reading. These thoughts may include recognizing confusion, making connections, evaluating importance, or discovering new information. I have provided an example of what some of these codes might look like in the image below. If your class is working with a book they cannot write in, students can write their symbols on small post-it notes and stick them onto the page.
A few key tips for successfully coding text:
· Introduce only one or two symbols at a time.
· Make sure to model! As you slowly introduce codes, show students when and how they might use them.
· Provide students with ample opportunities for practice, allowing time for discussion and sharing.
· Be sure not to include too many codes. If students have to spend time remembering too many symbols and what they stand for, this activity loses it effectiveness.