Teacher Talks: Video playlist

Hello, I am Mr. Firth and we’re going to look at some of the skills we use when we’re reading to find facts.

We all love reading, don’t we?

When we’re reading, we’re using so many different skills.

One of the main skills we use is retrieval.

This sounds harder than it actually is.

One of the main ways we can explain retrieval is that you find the information and then you retrieve it.

Let’s have a look at how we can do this.

Here is some information about the local leisure centre.

When we look at this screen, there seems to be a lot of information.

However, if we look closely we can see that the information has been organised clearly to help us navigate our way through as a reader.

Look, can you see that there is a title?

Then, we have a short introduction.

A table to sort the information for us.

And lastly, a closing statement to tie up all of the loose ends.

I love when a table is included.

It just makes everything seem easy to understand.

What do you think?

Okay, let’s read through the information on the table.

When looking at the table like this it’s always best to read all of the information first.

Put me on pause if you’d like to have a proper read.

Okay?

Let’s start to retrieve information.

I’m going to skim and scan.

Do you remember how to do that?

You choose a finger and starting at the first word move your finger across from left to right skimming and scanning.

You can practise with the table on your screen now.

OK, when we skim and scan, we’re looking for any information that jumps out.

I should look for dates, numbers, days or months, names of people and places and anything underlined or in bold.

That’s a lot to remember, but usually retrieval questions require us to be able to find facts quickly.

Remember, when skimming and scanning for names of days, months, people and places, they always begin with capital letters.

So, they’re easy to spot.

Let’s put all of this into practice.

Who has written this notice?

The question starts with “who”. So, let’s have a look for names.

Yes, there is one in the title, Bitesize Leisure Centre.

If we skim and scan again, at the bottom of the screen it repeats the same name.

So, the answer to “Who wrote this notice?” is Bitesize Leisure Centre.

Next fact to find: When does the reduced timetable start?

OK, this question starts with “when”. So, maybe we need to look for a day or date.

Have a look. You could put me on pause if you want.

Let’s take a look.

I can see 28th September 2020, the days of the week, Monday, 5th October 2020.

Which one of those answers the question?

Yes, it’s week beginning 28th of September 2020.

Next: What days can I go swimming?

OK, let’s skim and scan.

Did you find it in the table?

Yes, you can swim on Monday to Thursday.

Great work everyone.

I think we have time to look at one more reading skill – that’s how to summarise what we’ve read.

Summarising means being able to sum up what’s happened in a few words.

When we summarise we do not repeat the whole story, but we do need to be precise.

Let’s have a try.

I’ve summarised a story that I think you’ll all know.

I’m going to show you five short statements and I want you to guess which story it is:

Going to visit Grandma – wear red cape.

Cupcakes packed – walk through forest.

Is someone watching me?

Don’t talk to strangers.

Grandma is in bed. Big ears, big eyes, big… It’s not Grandma!

What story do you think it is?

Yes, it’s Little Red Riding Hood.

Usually it takes a longer time to read the story, but I chose some of the key events and you guessed it.

Why don’t you have a go?

Choose a story you know really well and see if you can summarise the main points like I did.

It’s great fun.

If I had to summarise how well you’ve done today I’d say:

Top skimmers and scanners, retrieval skills sorted, summary nailed. Well done everyone!

For more help, challenges and games on this subject visit bbc.co.uk/bitesize