Reading Comprehension:
The First Step

GOAL:

To learn how to use vocabulary, main ideas, and supporting details to help increase reading comprehension.

OBJECTIVES:

The student will be able to:

1. Describe vocabulary, main ideas, and supporting details and their relationship to overall comprehension.

2. Explain how vocabulary, main ideas and supporting details can aid in reading comprehension.

3. Demonstrate reading comprehension skills by correctly completing activities provided.

ENERGY OBJECTIVES:

The student will be able to:

1. Define insulation and R-value.

2. Describe the importance of insulation in home energy conservation.

LESSON INFORMATION:

When reading any passage, whether in a textbook or a magazine, comprehension is important. It is possible to "see" the words without really absorbing any meaning.

To help you comprehend your reading material, pay attention to these three elements:

- Vocabulary

- Main ideas

- Details

While reading text material, it is especially important to pay attention to vocabulary. Most texts present new words in bold print, in the margins, or in a glossary at the back. Pay special attention to these words as they are vital to your understanding of the entire passage.

It is a good idea to glance over reading material for special vocabulary before you begin. The definitions of some words can be found in the surrounding text. Some words, however, you may have to look up in the dictionary. Do not skip over these unfamiliar terms! They are vital to your overall comprehension of the information.

To help you remember the meaning of new words, it is a good idea to make a vocabulary list. Writing the definition down will help you remember it!

ACTIVITY D-1:

Note the words in bold print in the following paragraph. Use the surrounding text to answer the questions below.

Insulation is a material that has the ability to store heat. Insulating materials, such as fiberglass batting or rigid plastic boards, are beneficial during both the winter and the summer. During the colder months, insulation stores the heated air produced by the home furnace and keeps it from leaving the home. During the warmer months, insulation stores heat moving in from the outside and prevents its infiltration, or leakage, into the home. Proper insulation reduces the home's heating and cooling needs.

1. Define insulation:

2. Give two examples of insulating materials:

3. Define infiltration:

4. Explain the role of insulation during the summer months:

In addition to paying particular attention to new vocabulary, seeking out the main ideas and supporting details will also improve reading comprehension. Most information you read is divided into paragraphs. The main idea of the paragraph can sometimes be found in a single sentence, usually the first sentence in the paragraph. It is then followed by sentences containing the supporting details.

In order to better remember the information you have read, try the following steps:

A. Read the entire paragraph.

B. In your own words, write one sentence that contains the main idea of the paragraph.

C. Under the main idea, list the supporting details.

ACTIVITY D-2:

Read the paragraph below. Underline the main idea and rewrite in your own words. List the supporting details.

There are three general areas of the home where insulation should be installed. The first area is under the flooring as heat or cold from the ground, from the slab, or from moving air can enter the home through the floor. All exterior walls should also be insulated. Walls are extremely vulnerable to heat infiltration on warm, sunny days. The last area to insulate is the attic. Insulation in this area can prevent heat that penetrates through the roof from penetrating into the interior of the home.

Main Idea:

Supporting Details:

Now that you are familiar with the information you can obtain from vocabulary, main ideas, and supporting details, you are ready to use all of these elements to help improve your reading comprehension.

ACTIVITY R-1:

Read the following information. Make note of new vocabulary and define terms. Write the main idea in your own words and list the supporting details.

Before installing insulation in your home, it is important that you understand the concept of R-value. The R-value of an insulating material is a measurement of its resistance to heat. For example, if one type of insulating batting has an R-value of 3.5 per inch, it is more resistant to heat flow than a batting that has an R-value of 1 per inch. Before installing insulation in your home, you should know the R-value recommended for your climatic area and the R-value of the materials you intend to use. This way you will not under-insulate your home nor will you waste money on excess insulation. Proper insulation will help keep your home at a constant temperature and will reduce your heating and cooling costs.

Vocabulary:

Main Idea:

Supporting Details:

ACTIVITY R-2:

Answer the following questions regarding the information presented in the paragraph in Activity R-1. These questions will test your reading comprehension.

1. When installing insulation in your home, what is a major concept that you should understand?

2. What does R-value refer to?

3. Which insulating material is best, one with R=2 or R=4.5?

4. How much insulation should you install in your home?

RECOMMENDED READING:

Insulation, U.S. Department of Energy, DOE/CS-0192, November, 1980.

R-Values, SLEMCO, Lafayette, LA, n.d.

INFORMATION CHECK

1. Why is new vocabulary so important? What can you do to help yourself remember these new terms?

2. Where are main ideas usually found in a paragraph? What does the main idea tell you?

3. What is the relationship of supporting details to main ideas?

True / False

_____1. There are only two main areas of the home that require insulation.

_____2. It is important to insulate exterior walls because they can allow much heat gain on warm, sunny days.

_____3. It is a waste of time and money to insulate under the flooring. No heat is lost in this area.

_____4. R-value refers to the ability of a product to reduce heat, cold, and moisture in the home.

_____5. A material with an R-value of 12 has more insulating value than one with an R-value of 5.5.

_____6. All homes in the United States need basically the same kind of insulation.

TEACHER'S NOTES

Activity D-1:

1. Insulation is a material with the ability to store heat.

2. Two examples of insulation are fiberglass batting and rigid plastic board.

3. Infiltration refers to the leakage of undesired air into the home.

4. In the summer, insulation absorbs heat entering the structure from outside and helps prevent its infiltration into the living area.

Activity D-2:

Main Idea:

THERE ARE THREE GENERAL AREAS OF THE HOME WHERE INSULATION SHOULD BE INSTALLED.

Rewrite: There are three basic areas of the home that can really benefit from the installation of insulation.

Supporting Details:

The floor area should be insulated as hot or cold can infiltrate the home through the slab, the ground, or air under the home.

The exterior wall area should be insulated as much heat can infiltrate here on warm, sunny days.

Insulate the attic to keep heat that penetrated the roof from getting into the living space.

Activity R-1:

Vocabulary:

insulation - a material with the ability to store heat.

R-value - The measure of a materials resistance to heat.

Main Idea:

A homeowner should understand the meaning of R-values before installing insulation in the home.

Supporting Details:

R-values refer to a material's heat resistance.

The higher the R-value the more insulating the material.

Know the recommendations for your climate.

Purchase insulation only after understanding the R-value needs of your area and abilities of the selected insulating materials.

Activity R-2:

1. You should understand the concept of R-value.

2. R-value refers to a material's ability to resist heat.

3. The higher the R-value the better; thus 4.5 is better.

4. Amount of insulation used is dependent on climate.

Answers to Information Check:

1. New vocabulary is vital to the passage being read. These terms should be noted in the margin or glossary. Writing these new definitions down will help you remember them.

2. The main idea is often found in the first sentence of the paragraph. The main idea tells what the paragraph will be about.

3. Supporting details are found in subsequent sentences. All sentences that follow the main idea explain and support it.

True / False

1. F

2. T

3. F

4. F

5. T

6. F

Comments or questions to: TechAsmt@LA.GOV

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