24. DIRECTED READING-THINKING (DR-TA) ACTIVITY (Reading, Questioning, Writing)
Description: The Directed Reading-Thinking Activity, or DR-TA, is a technique developed by Russell Stauffer. It combines elements of prior knowledge, comprehension skills, and prediction to make students more accountable in the reading process.
Application: DR-TA is best used with fiction and expository texts.
Process: Select text that is appropriate in length and topic. Provide students the opportunity to initiate connections with the topic before reading begins. In a whole class setting, ask students to make predictions about what they will read based on things such as title, index (if any), chapter headings, charts, maps, or forewords. Assign a section of the text as silent reading and tell students the specific point to stop reading. At that point, ask students to reflect and confirm or revise the predictions. Promote discussions of revision, if necessary, and repeat process until students complete the text. At text’s end, ask various questions that lead to greater understanding of the text:
Description: The Directed Reading-Thinking Activity, or DR-TA, is a technique developed by Russell Stauffer. It combines elements of prior knowledge, comprehension skills, and prediction to make students more accountable in the reading process.
Application: DR-TA is best used with fiction and expository texts.
Process: Select text that is appropriate in length and topic. Provide students the opportunity to initiate connections with the topic before reading begins. In a whole class setting, ask students to make predictions about what they will read based on things such as title, index (if any), chapter headings, charts, maps, or forewords. Assign a section of the text as silent reading and tell students the specific point to stop reading. At that point, ask students to reflect and confirm or revise the predictions. Promote discussions of revision, if necessary, and repeat process until students complete the text. At text’s end, ask various questions that lead to greater understanding of the text:
- What is the main point the author is making in this story/article? What supports your answer?
- Do you agree with the author’s ideas or the character’s actions? Explain why or why not.
- What is the mood of this piece and how does the author develop it?
- What would you tell someone about this article/story if the person did not read it?
- How is this like something else you have read? Explain.
Reference, and/or for more information
24. Directed Reading-Thinking Activity
http://www.nea.org/tools/directed-reading-thinking-activity.html#H
Stauffer, R. G. (1969). Directing reading maturity as a cognitive process. New York: Harper & Row.
24. Directed Reading-Thinking Activity
http://www.nea.org/tools/directed-reading-thinking-activity.html#H
Stauffer, R. G. (1969). Directing reading maturity as a cognitive process. New York: Harper & Row.