Middle School Reading Strategies and Homework Help

Strategies to Help Middle School Readers

Preview the Book

Often, kids overlook all of those headings, pictures and captions that authors provide in the works they write, but not you. Or, at least, you won't anymore after reading this tip hopefully. Why? Quite simply, those items give you a head start on comprehending the material you're about to read. When you preview the book, you're able to prepare your mind for the information you're going to read about and be focused. When you're focused, you'll do better with your reading and any homework that is assigned to you based on reading.

Read Over the Key Vocabulary List

Reading assignments that are given for homework often have a set of key vocabulary words that are found in the reading material. Many of these words may be new to you. Therefore, it is a good idea to take the time to review these words before you begin reading. Looking over the words first will help you when you encounter them while reading later. This will not only help you understand the material better, but it will also help you proceed through the reading without having to stop because of an unfamiliar and difficult words.

Take Notes

One of the best strategies to use when you're reading is to take notes. You can do this in the margins, on scratch paper or in a notebook. Taking notes helps you keep track of the information you are reading about and gives you a roadmap of what you've covered in case you get confused or lost while reading. When you take notes, you're also engaging with the material, which helps with overall understanding.

Take the Time to Summarize

Make sure you stop occasionally to summarize what you've read so far. When you practice summarizing, you're able to check your level of understanding of the material. You're also able to see if you've been paying attention to what you're reading. If you have been, you'll be able to give a solid summary of the information you've learned. If you've lost focus while reading, coming up with a summary will be difficult and you'll need to reread.

Answer the Questions

Depending on the assignment, you may or may not be given a list of questions to answer. However, many reading assignments have comprehension questions given at the end. Even if they haven't been assigned, it is great practice to answer the questions anyway. Sometimes the answers may be available for you to check at the back of the book. Other times, you may have to ask your teacher to check the answers for you. Either way, taking the time to answer the questions will help you improve your reading comprehension and will help you be prepared when you do have questions assigned for other homework assignments.