1. Making Connections Ashley BrownWestwood Elementary, 2005

2. What are Connections? • Connections are links that readers can make between what they are reading and things they already know about.

3. Why should we make connections? • Good readers make connections to better understand what they are reading.

4. How do readers make connections? • Good readers use their own background knowledge and prior experiences to make connections. • There are 3 different ways that a reader can make connections …

5. ~ Types of Connections ~ • Text – to – Self • Text – to - Text • Text – to - World

6. Connection:Text – to - Self • These are connections that readers make between the text (what you are reading) and their own past experiences and/or background knowledge.

7. Connection:Text – to - Text • These are connections that readers make between the text they are reading and other texts the reader has read before. • Other kinds of texts might include books, poems, scripts, songs, or anything written. • You could even include movies or television shows that you have seen before.

8. Connection:Text – to - World • These are connections that readers make between the text and the bigger issues, events, or concerns of society. • To make these types of connections the reader must think about what is going on in the world around them.

9. Response Options for Sharing Connections … • Verbal Reponses – The reader would discuss the connections they made with a text aloud with others in a group. • Written Responses –The reader would write the connections they could make with a text down on a sheet of paper or in a response journal.

10. Ways to Start your Connections … “That reminds me of … “ “Remember when … “ “This is like … “ “This character makes me think of …” “This setting reminds me of … “

11. ~ Let’s Practice ~ Our Text: The Best School Year Ever by: Barbara Robinson