Reading Comprehension:
Searching for Clues

GOAL:
To recognize context clues and sequencing strategies to increase reading comprehension.

OBJECTIVES:
The student will be able to:

1. Explain how to obtain meaning from context clues.
2. Describe sequencing strategies that increase reading comprehension.
3. Demonstrate reading comprehension skills by correctly completing the activities provided.

ENERGY OBJECTIVES:
The student will be able to:

1. Explain the impact of improved ventilation on cooling costs.
2. Describe the proper way to select and operate a ceiling fan.
3. List other types of fans that can be used to improve ventilation.

LESSON INFORMATION:
As discussed in the previous lesson, understanding vocabulary words is directly related to your understanding of the information presented in the paragraph. There are many ways of determining the meaning of new terms. One way is to use context clues.

Context clues refers to using information in the sentence or paragraph surrounding a new term to help you understand that term. There are several items to look for when searching for context clues:

A. A punctuation mark, such as a comma or dash, may signal that information is being presented about the new term.

Example 1 -
A ceiling fan uses the same amount of energy as a 40 watt incandescent bulb, the normal screw-in type light bulb.

B. Key words, such as "or", and "that is" may signal that a definition is to follow.

Example 2 -
Proper ventilation or air flow can help the occupants of the room feel cooler. Ceiling fans improve indoor ventilation.

C. Sometimes the definition of a new term may be made clear by reading the entire paragraph in which it appears.

ACTIVITY D-1:
Read the following paragraph and then use context clues to define the capitalized terms.

While the ceiling fan is perhaps the most popular and most efficient type of fan, OSCILLATING FANS and box fans are also available. Oscillating fans rotate or move from side to side in order to cool a wider area. Box fans are stationary; they do not move and thus cool only in one direction.

1. oscillating fans:


2. box fans:


3. rotate:


4. stationary:


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ACTIVITY D-2:
Write the meaning of the capitalized word using the context clues provided.

1. The air conditioner THERMOSTAT, or temperature control, can usually be raised when a ceiling fan is in use. The additional air circulation makes the occupants feel cooler. This saves energy and thus the energy dollar.
____________________________________________________________

2. For a ceiling fan to work EFFICIENTLY -- providing the maximum effect with the least effort--purchase a fan that has 5 blades.
____________________________________________________________

3. It is also important to determine the largest DIMENSION of the room. This measurement of room length or width will help determine the proper fan diameter to purchase.
____________________________________________________________

While context clues help you determine the meaning of the information, sequencing helps you determine the organization. Most paragraphs, papers, or reports are carefully organized. Information is presented in a certain order. Being able to detect, and use, sequencing is a great way to improve overall reading comprehension.

There are several strategies used in sequencing that will help you determine organization and meaning from text. The first is to use time as a logical sequence. Words that indicate time include the following:
first
next
last
before later finish
begin then after
start during conclude

Other sequencing patterns are not as obvious. Common sense and experience are needed to help determine sequence. In this instance, it is important to read all of the given steps before trying to put them in order.

ACTIVITY R-1:
Using the key words given, sequence the events of the following two sentence groups.

Steps in Purchasing a Ceiling Fan

________ The first factor is the size of the room where the fan will be installed. This helps to determine the desired fan width.
________ After room and fan size have been determined, you may wish to take the factors of cost and style into account.
________ Before purchasing a ceiling fan, consider these factors.
________ Next, you must consider how high the fan will be from the floor. For maximum efficiency, there should be 8 to 10 feet between the fan blades and the floor.
________ Lastly, purchase and install the ceiling fan of your choice and prepare for lower cooling bills this summer!

How to Use Ceiling Fans to Reduce Your Utility Bills

________ Most people purchase a fan during the late spring or summer months. By using a fan during this season, you can raise the thermostat as much as 6° without losing out on comfort.
________ Ceiling fans can even be used during the winter. By reversing the blades you can get the fan to force warm air downward and thus make the room feel warmer on chilly days.
________ Follow the above steps in purchasing a ceiling fan for your home. This fan can be used throughout the year.
________ That spring or summer fan purchase can also be useful during the fall. Since it is warm in Louisiana during much of the fall, use the fan instead of the air conditioning to save on energy.

ACTIVITY R-2:
Below are steps to follow to determine if using ceiling fans can really reduce your utility bill. Put the following steps in paragraph form. Use some of the key sequencing terms to help your reader follow the instructions.

1. In the month of July, use only your air conditioner set at 72°.
2. Write down the amount of your July utility bill.
3. In August, use all ceiling fans.
4. Raise the thermostat to 78°.
5. Write down the amount of the August utility bill.
6. Compare the two bills.
7. Did using fans and raising the thermostat make a difference?

Work Space:










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RECOMMENDED READING:
Chandra, Subrato. Fans to Reduce Cooling Costs in the Southeast, FSEC-EN-13-85. Florida Solar Energy Center: State University System of Florida, October, 1985.

U.S. Department of Energy. Fans and Ventilation, FS 228, March, 1989.

INFORMATION CHECK
1. Describe context clues. How can they be helpful to the reader?





2. What are two types of sequencing commonly used?


3. Choose one type of sequencing listed above. Write a paragraph describing how to properly use a box fan. Use proper sequencing techniques.








Multiple Choice:
_____1. A ceiling fan uses as much energy as a _____ bulb.
a. 25 watt
b. 40 watt
c. 100 watt

_____2. A more efficient ceiling fan has _____ blades.
a. three
b. five
c. six

_____3. It is best to have the fan at least _____ from the floor.
a. 8 feet
b. 12 feet
c. 15 feet

_____4. A fan that rotates to cool a wider area is a/an _____ fan.
a. oscillating
b. box
c. whole house

_____5. In order to know the most efficient fan width to purchase, you should first
a. know how much money you want to save on your utility bill.
b. know the total square feet of your home.
c. know the dimensions of the room where the ceiling fan will be installed.

TEACHER'S NOTES
Activity D-1:
1. oscillating fan - one that moves from side to side and cools a wider area.
2. box fan - one that is stationary and cools only in one direction.
3. rotate - to move from side to side.
4. stationary - an object that does not move.

Activity D-2:
1. thermostat - the temperature control device.
2. efficiently - to do a job to produce the maximum effect with the least amount of effort.
3. dimensions - a measurement, in this case, of a room.

Activity R-1:
Steps in Purchasing a Ceiling Fan
2
4
1
3
5

How to Use Ceiling Fans to Reduce Your Utility Bills
2
4
1
3

Activity R-2:
Answers will vary. An example follows:

Many people are interested in knowing if using ceiling fans can really help reduce their utility bill. Why don't you try this little test. First, use only the air conditioner, set at 72° for the month of July then write down the amount of your July utility bill. During the following month of August raise your thermostat to 78° and use all home ceiling fans. Write down the amount of the August bill. Finally, compare the two dollar amounts. The August bill should be less than the July bill as it takes much less energy to run ceiling fans as compared to the central air conditioning unit.

Answers to Information Check:
1. Context clues refers to using information in the sentence or paragraph surrounding a new term to help you understand that term. These are helpful as they give meaning to a new vocabulary word and aid your comprehension of the whole paragraph.

2. time order and common sense/experience.

3. Student paragraphs will differ. Check for proper sequencing.

Multiple Choice:
1. b
2. b
3. a
4. a
5. c

Comments or questions to: TechAsmt@LA.GOV

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