Directed Reading Thinking Activity (DRTA)

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The Directed Reading Thinking Activity (DRTA) approach makes readers stop, think, and respond orally or in written responses as they read a new text. It’s an engaging way to make reading interactive while building students’ awareness of their understanding while reading.

Key Information

Focus

When To Use This Strategy

Appropriate Group Size

What is the directed reading thinking activity?

DRTA is a comprehension strategy that guides students in asking questions about a text, making predictions, and then reading to confirm or refute their predictions. The DRTA process encourages students to be active and thoughtful readers, enhancing their comprehension.

Why use DRTA?

• It encourages students to be active and thoughtful readers.
• It activates students’ prior knowledge.
• It teaches students to monitor their understanding of the text as they’re reading.
• It helps strengthen reading and critical thinking skills.
• The activity can be easily adapted for a variety of texts and across disciplines.

How to use DRTA

Here are the steps for using the directed reading thinking activity in your classroom:

1. Determine the text to be used and pre-select points for students to pause during the reading process.
2. Introduce the text, the purpose of the DRTA, and provide examples of how to make predictions. Note: Be aware of the reading levels of each student, and be prepared to provide appropriate questions, prompts, and support as needed.
3. Use the following outline to guide the procedure:

D = Direct

Activate your students’ thinking prior to reading a passage by scanning the title, chapter headings, illustrations, and other materials. Use open-ended questions to direct students as they make predictions about the content or perspective of the text (e.g., “Given this title, what do you think the passage will be about?”).

R = Reading

Students read up to the first pre-selected stopping point. You then prompt your students with questions about specific information and ask them to evaluate their predictions and refine them if necessary. This process should be continued until students have read each section of the passage.

T = Thinking

At the end of each section, students go back through the text and think about their predictions. Students should verify or modify their predictions by finding supporting statements in the text. You can ask questions such as:

• What do you think about your predictions now?
• What did you find in the text to prove your predictions?
• What did you we read in the text that made you change your predictions?

Watch a lesson on making predictions about a text (whole class)

During the reading of a story, the teacher has the students make predictions as to what they think will happen next. The students make adjustments to their predictions as the story is told. (Teach for Life)