10 Principles for Assisting Reading 3b.Setting Goals

This blog follows on from Principle 3(a)  modelling and predicting. In this blog the emphasis will be on setting goals for the guided reading session.

Generally speaking, all behaviour is goal oriented. Learning often takes place in response to our attempts to achieve goals that we set for ourselves.  In the last session I showed how to help children make predictions. When readers make predictions before reading they are setting a goal for that reading session. The prediction enables readers to focus their attention and monitor their progress towards the goal that they have set. The prediction helps them because it gives them something to measure their progress in reading comprehension. This process is enhanced when the reader is directed to note the text clues, to monitor their original prediction, and to alter it if the story takes an unexpected turn. During the after reading phase the child should reflect on their predictions. Ask, "What did you think would happen? etc (refer to blog 3(a)).

This goal setting process requires three steps at the three stages of reading:

1. Before reading - set a goal
2. During reading - monitor and adjust the reading goal.
3. After reading - reflect on the appropriateness of the goal and how it was achieved.

N. B. There is usually more than one reading goal. For the guided reading session the overriding goal should always be reading for pleasure. The reading guide should always keep this in mind when assisting reading.