DRTA, or Directed Reading and Thinking Activity, helps students draw on previous knowledge to understand the text. Steps in this process include before-reading strategies, such as predicting what the text will be about (What do you think will happen next? Why do you think so?). It also includes during-reading strategies, including confirming previous predictions (Were you right? Has something happened to disprove your prediction?). After-reading strategies include evaluating previous ideas about the text (Is your idea still possible? Do you want to change your prediction? What do you think will happen next, now?).
DRTA can also be used to help children understand cause and effect relationships within a text. By using the same type of questioning techniques, you can draw your child toward correct conclusions. Another strategy that works well for comparisons is a graphic organizer such as a Venn diagram. A Venn diagram is made up of two large circles that overlap slightly in the center, creating three separate areas where children can write. The middle section should contain qualities of both items, while the areas on each side will only pertain to each individual item. This can be used to compare characters or events in the story.
Again, DRTA is an exceptional tool to use to discuss character traits. Other strategies include creation of a personality traits chart. In this activity, students list specific traits of certain characters on chart paper, then compare characters to see which characters have similar characteristics.
Think-Alouds are great tools for helping students predict outcomes in a text. In this case, the parent or instructor models what she is thinking to help children learn how to identify evidence and supporting details in the text. For example, if the instructor reads aloud a text about grizzly bears, she might say something like this, "Humped shoulders? Hmmm. What do they mean by that? Oh, maybe when they're down on all fours; yeah, their backs are kind of like a hump then, OK, I get it!" The instructor has now shown the child the thinking process behind understanding a portion of the text.