How to read
a textbook –
SQ4R
Learn smarter, not harder…
Learn smarter, not harder…
Jigsaw puzzle - 500 pieces - two
groups
One group - puzzle in the original box
Second group – puzzle in a brown bag
Who will finish the puzzle first?
…Seems pretty obvious,
doesn’t it?
Learn smarter, not harder…
When you pick up a text book and just
start reading it…
…that is like working the puzzle
without being able to see the
picture on the box!
The SQ4R Study Method
SQ4R is like having the picture on the
puzzle box.
You spend a little time up front…
…that pays big dividends in improving
your learning efficiency and
effectiveness.
The SQ4R Study Method
• Survey
• Question
• Read
• Recall
• Review/Reflect
• Relate & Connect
SQ4R Method
• S = Survey
•
Look for structure & organization of
chapter
• Q = Question
•
Turn each heading into question
• 4 R’s = Reading, Recalling, Reviewing &
Relating
• Read to answer above question
• Recall the answer to question
• Review/Reflect – immediate & delayed
• Relate – How does this connect to what you
already know?
How to read a textbook –
SQ4R
Survey
• Title
– Introductory paragraphs
• Background, purpose
– Headings, subheadings
• Outline
– Summary
Survey: Get the “Big
Picture”
• What reader aids are included in the text?
• Read all the titles and subtitles.
• Read captions under pictures, charts, graphs,
or maps.
• Read the questions at the end of the
chapter.
• If there is a summary read it.
• Get an overview of what the chapter is
about.
How to read a textbook –
SQ4R
Question
• Formulate questions before you read
– Heading and subtitle
– Journalistic questions
• 1 Husband & 5 Wives
– Reading is thinking – good students
think while they read.
Question: Reading for Specific
Purpose
•Turn each title and subtitle
into a question.
•What questions will the
chapter answer?
•Ask yourself, "What will my
teacher ask about this chapter
or topic?“
•What do I already know about
this topic?
How to read a textbook –
SQ4R
Read
• Read material under one heading or
subheading
• Read ideas
• Take minimal notes
Read: Active Search of
Answers
•What is the writer’s
purpose?
•Reduce your speed for
difficult passages.
•Stop and reread parts
that are not clear.
Activity 1: Skimming for general information
Survey the questions. Then skim the passage in 30 seconds. DO NOT spend
more than this amount of time on your first reading. Record the correct
answer to each question.
Sometimes called puma, panther, or mountain lion, the agile cougar has a
greater natural range than any other mammal in the Western Hemisphere
except humans. However, long viewed as a threat to livestock, it has been
intensively hunted since the arrival of European colonists to the Americas and
was almost extinct by the early twentieth century. While protective measures
have been implemented in the United States, humans continue to destroy the
cougar’s habitat, further endangering this solitary cat.
1
This passage is about A) a person B) a place C) an animal D) a
time.
2
This passage discusses A) a problem B) a solution C) an opinion D) a
policy.
3
The author of this passage expresses A) love B) concern C) joy D)
anger.
4
The topic of this passage is A) the cougar B) mammals of the
Western Hemisphere C) endangered species D) a threat to livestock
Sometimes
called 2:
puma,Scanning
panther, or mountain
lion, the agile
cougar has a
Activity
for Details
(same
greater natural range than any other mammal in the Western Hemisphere
passage)
except humans. However, long
viewed as a threat to livestock, it has been
intensively
hunted
since
the arrival
European
colonists
tothe
the questions
Americas and
Allow
yourself
ONE
minute
to doofthis
exercise.
Read
wasbelow
almostabout
extinct
bypassage
the earlyintwentieth
measures
the
Activitycentury.
1. Then,While
usingprotective
the related
have been implemented in the United States, humans continue to destroy the
words in bold print below, QUICKLY scan the passage to find the
cougar’s habitat, further endangering this solitary cat.
answer to each question. Record your answer.
1
The cougar is know by how many other names?
2
In what part of the world does the cougar live?
3
At what point in time did the cougar face extinction?
4
What country has measures to protect the cougar?
Answers to Activities 1 and 2
Activity 1
1) C
2) A
3) B
4) A
Activity 2
1
three
2
the Western Hemisphere
3
the early twentieth century
4
the United States
How to read a textbook –
SQ4R
Recall
• Answer the questions you asked
before you began reading
• Use your own words
Read
Recall
1 month
30%
80%
2 months
14%
70%
Recall: Put in your own words
•Ask yourself questions
about what was just
read and/or summarize,
in your own words, what
was read.
How to read a textbook –
SQ4R
Record
• Take notes from the reading (journal
form)
• Highlight/underline main ideas &
supporting details
How to read a textbook –
SQ4R
Review
• Look over your notes and
headings/subheadings for overview
• Recall supporting details
• Predict test questions based on main
points
Relate: Making Links
•Link to previous
knowledge
•How you can use
this information?
•What else you need
to know more about?
SQ4R - Reflection
What do you think of this strategy?
Would it work for you?
Why/why not?
SQ4R Method
• S = Survey
•
Look for structure & organization of
chapter
• Q = Question
•
Turn each heading into question
• 4 R’s = Reading, Recalling, Reviewing &
Relating
• Read to answer above question
• Recall the answer to question
• Review/Reflect – immediate & delayed
• Relate – How does this connect to what you
already know?
Questions?