SOCIAL STUDIES
STRATEGIES
Pick a Word
Explain to students that meaning actually comes from merging the words of the
passage with the ideas in our head.
For example: Either read this article aloud of make a transparency of the
text.
Girl Scouts Help Our Cities Homeless
Local Girl Scouts in Portland have chosen to give up part of their Christmas Day celebrations with
their families to serve breakfast and distribute warm clothes to homeless people in downtown
Portland. More than 400 homeless people attended the breakfast, One parent said. “This helps
our girls to see their world more realistically and builds a positive attitude about helping their
community.”
Two-Word Strategy
Think about the article. Jot down two words that reflect your thinking. Be ready to
tell why you chose the words.
WORDS
WHY YOU CHOSE THEM
Need
I chose it because there are so many homeless people who need
this.
Important
I chose important because it is so important for everyone to help
others.
Generally, students select words that are inferences, reflecting judgment,
conclusions, and evaluations that move beyond the text.
In the Pick a Word Strategy, students choose only one word and write it
down on a 3x5 card. On the back of the card, they write WHY they chose the
word. The cards are passed around the group and students talk together about
the words they are reading and how they relate to the text.
The Pick a Word and Two-Word Strategies both scaffold inferential
reasoning, which is almost always represented on standardized tests. These
strategies are quick, adjustable to various group sizes and work with any text.
Key Questions
How do you merge the words of the text and the ideas
in your head?
Are there other ways to represent inferential thinking?
How might Two Word and Pick a Word help me
understand when I am reading independently?
Pick a Word
1. Jot down two words that reflect your
thinking about the passage.
_______________
________________
2. Tell why you chose them.
3. Pick ONE word and write it on a 3x5 card.
On the back, tell why you chose it and
how it relates to the story. Meet with your
group to share your words and your
reasons for selecting them.