How does one read the sciences?

BEFORE CLASS

1. Preview the chapter. - Briefly look over titles, introductions, subheadings, first few sentences beneath subheadings, figures, diagrams, italicized or boldfaced words and terms, and summaries. As you preview, ask yourself:


• What is this about?
• What do I know about this ... and don't know or don't remember?
• Where does the author begin and where is he going?
• What is the organizational pattern (relationships, chronological, topics?)
• How does this fit into what we are learning in this course?
• How difficult or how easy is this?
• Is there terminology that is unfamiliar or that I will need to review?
• How important is this information? Are there parts I could skim and get the main ideas?
• Where can I make logical breaks in the reading to divide up my study time?
• In what order might I read the information in the chapter? Would it be easier and more motivating to read the most interesting section first?


2. Skim the chapter - in more detail, but don't try to read it thoroughly yet. Read first and last sentences of paragraphs. Pull out some major ideas and details. Examine charts and figures. Try to understand the more important and frequently repeated terminology. Think about the over-all organization of ideas.


3. Don't panic or become overwhelmed with the readings. They may be dense, but not unconquerable. By previewing and skimming the materials before class, you can then use the lecture to clarify the level and depth of comprehension you'll need to achieve when you actually read the chapter more thoroughly.

IN CLASS

1. Be prepared to anticipate information acquired from pre-skimming your textbook, and listen for clues during the class that will help you focus on an appropriate level of comprehension when you read the related chapter(s) after class (or complete homework).


2. Take notes on the right side of your notebook page, and leave the facing left page free to add related notes summarized from your textbook.

AFTER CLASS

1. Review and edit your notes . Begin thinking about what additional information you'll need to add from the text.


2. Read the related textbook material that you have previously skimmed.
• Re-preview and and break the reading into logical sub-sections to be tackled one at a time.
• Plan far enough ahead of time that you'll be able to take a break and move away from the material at the end of each sub-section if you feel overwhelmed. Often time is needed to allow the mind to gradually absorb complex ideas.
• Read carefully and methodically, referring to figures and diagrams as appropriate.
• "Self-pacing" by moving a card or pencil finger along as you read may help keep your attention focused on the task.
• After reading a sub-section, stop and recall what you've read: tell it to yourself in your own words; take relevant notes along side the related class notes in your notebook , and highlight key details. (However, just highlighting may not be the best form of recall since nearly all of many paragraphs may need to be highlighted and review would be difficult.)
• Draw your own diagrams or charts to summarize and translate information.
• Review your notes and the reading periodically. Information needs to be reviewed and used periodically for it to be stored in long term memory.


3. Reflect upon the information in various ways - e.g., How are these functions related to each other? How do they affect each other? Apply ideas learned to other or new situations: What would happen to the body if one of these areas/functions/organs were damaged or destroyed? , etc.