Strategy vs. Tool
What’s the difference between a reading strategy and a reading tool?
A reading strategy is "what” students do to access information. A reading tool is the product students use to show “how” they process the information, extract meaning and check for understanding. Using a specific strategy and a specific tool when reading a text helps students be active vs. passive readers.
"What to do" to learn = THE ACTION = Strategy (Ex. Activate Prior Knowledge)
"How" to show the learning = THE PRODUCT = Tool (Ex. KWL)
Example:
A before reading strategy is to “Activate Prior Knowledge.” This is the action. A KWL is an example of a reading tool that helps students show "how" to activate prior knowledge about the Grand Canyon. This is the product. This 3-column tool determines what students KNOW about the Grand Canyon and what they WANT to know. At the end of the unit, students fill out the examples of new information in the LEARNED column. The KWL triggers ideas, experiences and connections about the text topic. This is "how" students can connect to the text topic before reading so they develop a foundation of understanding and familiarity before reading for new information.
See the Rambo Reading Resources page of this website for more examples.
"What to do" to learn = THE ACTION = Strategy (Ex. Activate Prior Knowledge)
"How" to show the learning = THE PRODUCT = Tool (Ex. KWL)
Example:
A before reading strategy is to “Activate Prior Knowledge.” This is the action. A KWL is an example of a reading tool that helps students show "how" to activate prior knowledge about the Grand Canyon. This is the product. This 3-column tool determines what students KNOW about the Grand Canyon and what they WANT to know. At the end of the unit, students fill out the examples of new information in the LEARNED column. The KWL triggers ideas, experiences and connections about the text topic. This is "how" students can connect to the text topic before reading so they develop a foundation of understanding and familiarity before reading for new information.
See the Rambo Reading Resources page of this website for more examples.