Think Outside of the Box with

TAKS Question Stems and Graphic Organizers

How you can increase your students reading comprehension ability through the use of

TAKS question stems and graphic organizers.Mrs. P. Bell

You can use the following TAKS question stem for Main Idea… Main Idea

• 1. What is ____ paragraph mostly about?

• 2. What are paragraphs 4 through 6 in this story mainly about?

• _____, ______, and ______ are all considered…

• In the selection, the main cause for ___ is…

Main Idea Graphic Organizers

•

You can use the following TAKS question stem for Summarization…

Summarization

1. Which of these is the best summary of the story?

Summarization Graphic

Organizers

You can use the following TAKS question stem for comparing ideas: Comparing Ideas:1. In this selection, in what way does ____

connect with ____?2. A theme throughout this story is –3. An important idea in both selections is-

*** We really need much support with this question stem. ***

Comparing Ideas Graphic Organizers

You can use the following TAKS question stem for Style, Tone and Mood…

Style, Tone and Mood

1. In paragraph ___, the author creates a mood of –

2. In paragraph ___, the author creates a feeling of –

3. ______ tone is ___ paragraph is described as –

4. The author’s choice of words in the ____ establishes a tone that is-

5. The author’s uses language to create a sense of –

Style, Tone, and MoodGraphic Organizer

Style

Tone

Mood

How did you feel after you read the story?

You can use the following TAKS question stem for Supportive Responses…

Supportive Response

1. Which sentence from the _______ selection supports the idea that ….

Supportive ResponsesGraphic Organizers

More Supportive Response Graphic

Organizers

More Supportive Responses

More Supportive Responses

You can use the following TAKS question stem for Inference…

Inference

1. From the information about _____ provided in the story, the reader can conclude that –

InferenceGraphic Organizers

You can use the following TAKS question stem for Author’s Purpose…

Author’s Purpose

1. The author wrote this story most likely to…

2. The main purpose of this article is to –

Author’s PurposeGraphic Organizer

Author’s Purpose

Persuade ExpressInform Entertain

Venn Diagram • Math – Compare even numbers, prime

numbers, and multiples of 3.

Multiples of 3

Prime Numbers

Even Numbers

Venn Diagram

• Science – Compare 3 body systems

Circulatory System

Muscular System

Skeletal System

Venn Diagram

• History – Technology Age from the 1920’s – 1960’s – 2000’s

2000’s

1960’s1920’s

Venn Diagram

• English or Reading – Using a novel to compare similar historic issues.

HurricaneKatrina

Civil Right EraThe Cay

Venn Diagram

• Music – Comparing 3 modes of music

Beethoven

Stevie Wonder

Ray Charles

Main Idea Question stemYou can discuss Main Idea in any subject.

• Math – What is the main focus in the word problem?

• Science – What is the heart’s main job.• History – Abraham Lincoln was mostly

known for…• English – What is the central idea?• Elective - Paragraph 2 and 3 are mostly

about-

Reading Routine for Success

• Now you can use your question stems and graphic organizers before, during and after reading.

• The next 3 slides will help you establish a meaningful routine to foster comprehension before, during, and after reading.

• Remember, reading comprehension is all about making connections, clarifying, setting a purpose, inferring, summarizing, drawing conclusions, evaluating, visualizing, and rereading when needed.

1. Before reading you want to establish a purpose. You can use graphic organizers and question stems to help students accomplish this goal…• Review Background Information• Identify their focus• Make Personal Connections • Make Real Life Connections Ultimately, you want every student to set apurpose for reading.

2. During reading you want students to stay focused. Therefore use questions or graphic organizers to …

• Maintain Attention

• Make Predictions

• Monitor understanding through summarizing and questioning

• Analyze Material

• Take organized notes to clarify meaning

3. Use questions and graphic organizers after reading to help students…

• Reflect on what was read

• Summarize

• Make future predictions or connections

• Synthesize

• Evaluate