Textbook Study and Reading Inventory

Unlocking a Precious Resource

Components to Reading

1. Reading Comprehension

2. Language Comprehension

3. Background Knowledge4. Linguistic Knowledge5. Phonology6. Syntax7. Semantics

8. Decoding9. Cipher Knowledge10. Lexical Knowledge11. Phoneme Awareness12. Alphabetic Principle13. Letter Knowledge14. Concepts About Print

DefinitionsThe act of decoding symbols

(letters) in order to interpret their meaning. Reading is a mental process which physiological and psychological studies suggest is based upon a succession of quick eye movements, known as fixations, across the written line, each of which lasts about a quarter of a second.

Reading

DefinitionsThe scientific study of language

and its structure, including the study of morphology (how it looks), syntax, phonetics, and semantics.

Linguistic

DefinitionsSyntax The arrangement of words and

phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language.

DefinitionsSemantics The study of the meaning of

words and groups of words in language. It includes the study of the meaning of communication between human beings.

DefinitionsDecoding The process of analyzing or

interpreting verbal and nonverbal communication.

DefinitionsCipher A coded, secret, or disguised form

of writing.

DefinitionsLexical The study of a word, isolated

from other words, in its abstract form.

What is a Cloze Test? (individual assessment)• A Cloze Test consists of a selected passage of

approximately 275 to 300 words. • The first and last sentences are left intact.• Besides that, the teacher deletes every fifth

word until there are a total of 50 blanks constructing the test.

• The teacher administers the exam and students have unlimited time to complete it.

• The student then reads the passage and thinks of the word they feel best fits in the blank.

What is a CARI Test?

CARI stands for:CONTENTAREAREADINGINVENTORY

What is a CARI Test? (group assessment)• A CARI test is a representative sample of text between

250-350 words. • Students will have a passage to read either from the

text or typed pages.• The passage will consist of introductory and supporting

paragraphs. • Upon completion, there are nine prepared

comprehension questions as follows for students to answer: three vocabulary questions; three stated facts; three inferential questions (make sure the students have to think hard for these) for the students to answer upon completion of reading the passage.

What do these tests measure?

• These tests measure reading performance based on materials used in the class. They can be individual or group assessments.

• The test is used for instructional planning, grades are not usually assigned.

• The main purpose of the test is to allow students to demonstrate how much prior knowledge they have of the course before instruction and how well they read.

• Research studies have shown that these tests are a successful gauge of current student reading capability and level.

Directions:

• Today, the student(s) will be administered both CARI and CLOZE tests to verify reading level and compatibility to textbook.

• First will be administered the CLOZE and then the CARI.

• Students have unlimited time to complete each assessment.

• Students are to follow the written directions on the top of each test and ask the teacher questions should any arise.