Reading to Perform a Task
This type of reading is one third of the overall reading score for your school. Generally, the way it seems to be handled on MSPAP is that students will be given a set of directions, such as the steps for a science investigation. They will be asked to read the directions, and then will have several questions to answer about the directions. In addition, they may be given a second, or similar, set of directions about the same topic, and then they will be asked to compare the two sets of directions. Or, students may be asked to examine a form, and then to fill it in with their own information.
In reality, we do not give kids very much practice in this type of reading. Sure, we have them read directions all the time, but they read them to follow them. Rarely do we have students analyze directions for their clarity, their relevance, or their organization.
Students also need to be taught the steps to use before, during, and after this type of reading. They are listed at the end of this page.
We need to give students this experience prior to MSPAP, with feedback on how well they performed. Some suggestions follow below.
1) Take the directions for a science investigation, and then select two or three questions from the list below that you have modified to fit the directions.
2) Give students two sets of directions for the same investigation, and have them answer questions about both sets. You may need to take a set you have always used, and then write a corresponding set of directions, with minor flaws, without the illustration, etc.
Types of Questions to Ask
Be sure to modify these to suit the activity!
Global Stance
Identify who would use the document or set of directions.
Identify how someone would use the document or set of directions.
Identify the main purpose of this document or set of directions.
State the central idea of this document or set of directions.
Developing Interpretation Stance
Predict what will happen in a given situation based on the document or directions.
Tell how the diagrams and/or illustrations helped you to perform the task.
Examine cause and effect relationships between the steps.
Paraphrase directions, vocabulary, or information.
Fill in a form with information that is provided.
Follow directions to complete a graphic organizer with information that is provided.
Draw inferences from information within and across documents.
Judge the appropriateness of a document or set of directions for a given audience.
Personal Response Stance
Identify additional information in a document or set of directions that one might need to complete the task.
Compare what you learned from this selection with what you knew before the selection.
Tell how or when one would use a document or set of directions.
Fill out a form with one's own information.
Compare a form, task, or product described in a document or set of directions to something similar in one's own experience or background.
Critical Stance
Identify points of confusion in a document or set of directions.
Recommend improvements in the organization or information in a document or set of directions.
Compare and contrast two sets of directions or two displays of information.
Scoring Student Responses
Each question that you ask needs to have an "activity specific" scoring tool created for it. See the suggested types of scoring language on this site.
Steps for Reading to Perform a Task
Before You Read...
- What do you know?
- Why are you reading this material?
- Read through the material.
- Look at any pictures, diagrams, or illustrations.
- Identify the steps in the process.
- Will you be able to follow the directions?
- Rewrite the information on an organizer.
- Do you need a better understanding of the task?
- Do you have all the materials you need?
- Do CUCC to the steps.
While You Read...
- Read the directions for each step. Then look at any graphics that go with that step.
- Pause after each step to check and make sure you are doing things correctly.
- Thing about what you have to do next.
- Keep a mental picture in your head about what it is you are doing.
After you read...
- Decide if you have finished the task correctly.
- What would you do to make it easier the next time?
- Evaluate the results.
- Talk to someone about the selection.
For comments and inquiries, send email to:
Cam Miller
Curriculum Planner
Stephen Decatur Middle School
(formerly Berlin Middle School)
Worcester County