Reading Strategy: Monitor Your Reading

As you read, it is important to make sure you understand the text. Is there a part that confuses you? If so, reread it or read on to help clarify ideas that do not make sense.

How to Clarify Ideas: Reading Strategy Monitor Your Reading

  • 1. As you read, stop if you are confused.

  • 2. Reread the text that confuses you. You may figure it out.

  • 3. Read on if you are still confused. You may be able to figure things out in the next paragraph or two.

Strategy in Action

Here’s how one student clarified confusing ideas.

Look Into the Text

One weekend he had wiped out while riding his bike, popping up over curbs with his eyes closed. He somersaulted over his handlebarsI don’t understand what “somersaulted” means. and saw a flash of shooting stars as he felt the slap of his skin against the asphalt. Blood rushed from his nostrils like twin rivers. He bicycled home, his blood-darkened shirt pressed to his nose. When he examined his face in the mirror, he saw that he had a scrape on his chin. He liked that. He thought Estela might pity him. In history class, she would cry, “Oh, what happened?”

“When I reread, the first sentence says he was riding his bike with his eyes closed. Maybe he fell off.”

“When I read on, I learn that he is bleeding. He must have gotten hurt.”

Practice Together

Reread the passage above. Stop when you read something you do not understand. To help you figure it out, follow the steps in the How-To box.