SCAN & RUN is only one activity!
Comprehension skills must be taught early in the school year so the students’
journey of reading is not as difficult.
Model and use effective “teacher talk.”
Always review and re-teach for redundancy and lots of practice.
Teach the “process” and don’t worry about grading the “product.”
Comprehension can be learned and by using motivation, bringing history
“alive” and setting the stage…. the very, heavy, “boring” textbooks can help
bring the characters and events to the “cutting edge.”
Kelly Smith – 5th grade teacher – Comprehension Strategies
Save the Date – Jr. History Academy session
kdsmith@whscats.org
What is SCAN and RUN?
It is a comprehension strategy that uses mnemonic cues
that assists students with their planning and monitoring
before reading, during reading, and after reading.
Before reading…
The student uses the SCAN cues to
assist with activating prior
knowledge and previewing the
selection for understanding.
During reading….
The student uses the RUN cues to monitor
comprehension and further his or her
understanding of the text selection.
After reading….
The students extends his or her
understanding of the text by answering
questions at the end of the selection and
participating in a class discussion.
Teaching the SCAN and RUN
Strategy
Four steps:
1. Introducing, modeling, and memorizing the strategy
2. Previewing the chapter text before reading using the SCAN cues
3. Reading the text selection using the RUN cues
4. Answering questions and discussing the text material after reading.
Combination of activities:
Whole-class instruction
Independent reading
Peer-assisted reading
Small group discussions
Tasks and activities are introduced and only require
three to five 30-minutes sessions!
“Teacher-Talk”
“Today we are going to learn a simple and
effective reading strategy called SCAN and
RUN that will help you better understand the
textbooks and materials in your classes.
Most of you will be able to learn to use the
strategy in your classes and homework
assignments within one week.”
SCAN and RUN is like a runner
A cross-country runner is like a good reader. A good runner plans
before the race by walking and previewing the race course, scanning
and analyzing the terrain, and remembering key information that
could be helpful in understanding the race course. During the race,
the runner needs to anticipate and monitor the surroundings using
prior knowledge and adjust his/her pace accordingly.
7 mnemonic cues
S = Survey headings-turn them into questions.
C = Capture the captions and visuals
A = Attack boldface words
N = Note and Read the chapter questions
at end of chapter
And…
R = Read and adjust speed
U = Use word “chunking” sounding out skills
N = Notice and check parts I don’t
understand and reread or read on
In addition…
Students can learn how to record the SCAN and RUN
cues they used when reading by checking them off on
a student self-monitoring progress chart.
The students are provided practice time across all
subject-area courses until students can recall the
mnemonic and sayings without visual cues and
teacher prompts.
References
Salembier, George B., (1999) SCAN and RUN: a reading
comprehension strategy that works, Journal of Adolescent &
Adult Literacy, Vol. 42, Issue 5, 386-389