INSERT

(Interactive Notation System to Effective Reading and Thinking) //Based on Vaughan and Estes (1986).// INSERT is a during-reading strategy that helps readers consciously interact with text to clarify their thinking. INSERT gets readers interacting with the text by "inserting" their thoughts into the ideas proposed by the text to monitor their comprehension and make decisions such as, “I knew that,” “I don’t understand,” and “That’s really important.” The decisions included in INSERT embody a range of ways text can be understood. Since the decisions are conscious and noted, they can be discussed, examined, justified, and modified. These types of decisions provide a basis for critical thinking and reasoning by clarifying what one thinks about the ideas presented in the text. The decision-making process students engage in is better than underlining (highlighting) for several reasons. First, underlining is often less helpful because developing learners are not clear about what to underline. Second, underlining is not important, but the reason for underlining is important. INSERT makes the reason for the notation immediately apparent at a glance.  1. Create your own notations, but remember that students must understand when to use notations and why they are using them. I agree =  P   That's new = +  I wonder = ? I disagree = X That's important = * I don't understand = ??  2. Students make INSERT notations during reading.  o  Notations may be made directly in the text, on sticky notes attached to the text, or on a paper folded into four columns (page number is written at the top of each column) to help them monitor their comprehension, interact with text, and consciously make decisions about the ideas in the text.
 * __ INSERT STRATEGY __**
 * Steps to use the INSERT strategy **