Reading Strategy: Make Connections

When you read, make connections to things you already know about the subject. This will help you understand and remember new ideas and information.

Reading Strategy Make Connections
    How to Make Text-to-World Connections

  • 1. Look at the title of the selection. Use a Connections Chart to record what you already know.

  • 2. As you read, look for important facts and ideas. Explain the connections between the text and your prior knowledge.

  • 3. After reading, think about the connections you made. How did they affect your reading?

Strategy in Action

Here’s how one student made text-to-world connections.

Look Into the Text

You can think of Earth’s neighbors as all the objects in our solar system. These objects include planets. A planet is a large object that moves around a star.

There are eight planets in our solar system. Scientists put these planets into groups. The four planets closest to the sun make up one group.

From TextWhat I KnowText-To-World Connections
There are eight planets in our solar system.There are 8 planets, including Earth. I also know Mars, Venus, and Mercury.I saw on TV that Pluto is no longer a planet. So the author says 8, not 9. I can name some planets. After all, I live on one!

Connections Chart

Practice Together

Reread the passage. Follow the steps in the How-To box to add on to a Connections Chart like the one shown.