Explore the Strategy
Apply the Strategy
You will now have the opportunity to apply the strategy by doing the textbook scan activity. To do the activity, you will need a copy of an American history textbook, preferably one that you use with your students.
- Step 1:
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Begin the activity by selecting a chapter in the textbook that focuses on the Progressive Era.
- Step 2:
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Read the titles and headings, picture captions, charts and graphs, and the first and last pages of your selected chapter. As you read, write down the section titles, key names and dates, important concept vocabulary words, and any other important information that you encounter.
- Step 3:
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Now, reflect on your experience doing the textbook scan activity. If you are working with colleagues, discuss your responses. What kinds of key information were you able to gather? What kind of information was not included in your notes? How does this compare to the information you typically expect students to gather from their readings? What would your students find engaging about this activity? What, if any, challenges might the activity present? What activity might you have students do after this textbook scan?
- Step 4:
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Select another topic or era that interests you and repeat the textbook scan activity. If you are working with colleagues, you may all want to select the same content area so that you can compare your findings.