Too many times, students will read a passage or text and will take it at face-value. They do not
typically have feelings about an academic text, cannot decipher text from truth or fallacy, and do not criticize readings. In this chapter from Bean, Baldwin and Readence, the authors provide strategies that help scaffold the process of reading critically. The four strategies listed in this chapter are Polar Opposites, Opinion-Proof, REAP, and Phony Document Strategy. Each has their own complexity and their own timing as to when to implement the strategy, but taking the time to do these could really help students become more critical when it comes to reading. They need to be on the lookout for what they are reading or being told is valid. We are teaching students today to not always trust what their teachers say. The students need to question, be skeptical at times, and be on their toes when listening to their teachers. Well, the same aspects apply to reading. Anything can be written and printed. However, it takes a keen reading and student to think about if the information is real or just a bunch of fluff.
After reading this, I think that these activities are great. However, I'd love to see how these could be implemented in more than one domain. I think I could use this in my classes, but I would not stress this as much as perhaps an English or reading teacher would.
Skills in critical reading are essential to be a functioning citizen in our country. Anyone will and can feed us lies, and we need to be aware of this. These skills are essential not only for being successful academically but for life.
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