"As an experienced middle school educator, I see tremendous value in the Key Three model for any student in middle or high school."
—Deborah Wright, Science and Technology Department Chair, Murdock Middle School Winchendon, MA
Click here to see classroom examples of main idea topic webs, two column notes, and summaries.
The Key Three Routine: Comprehension Strategies
Purpose:
Professional development to embed reading comprehension and study strategy instruction into content learning.
Description:
The Key Three Routine is a reading comprehension and study strategies program for grades 4 through 12. The program emphasizes the integration of reading and study strategies using existing content teaching materials (textbooks and other reading materials), and can be used in any content area (e.g., science, social studies, English language arts, math). The program was originally developed for use with struggling readers, but it has been adapted for use in general education classrooms. All students benefit from Key Three strategy instruction.
There are three key skills that compose the core of the program:
- Main idea skills:The ability to identify and state in one's own words the main idea of a group of words, a paragraph, a multi-paragraph selection, or a lengthy reading selection such as a chapter of a textbook
- Note taking skills: The ability to identify and distinguish main ideas and relevant details, and to save that information in an organized, written format
- Summarizing skills: The ability to express in one's own words (in complete sentences) an organized summary of the main ideas from reading or listening
- Initial two-day training for teachers. An onsite professional development workshop for all teachers participating in the training. As part of the workshop, teachers use their own classroom textbooks and reading material to develop lessons that incorporate the comprehension strategies introduced throughout the training.
- Initial consultation for building administrators. Includes suggestions for how to implement and support the program on a grade-level or school-wide basis.
- Training and consultation for a building-based coach. Support provided for a building-based reading coach, curriculum coordinator, or other individual who will take the lead in supporting the use of the reading comprehension program in the school.
- Follow-up support for teachers. Follow-up visits (approximately every four to six weeks) by the trainer with teachers in small groups. Teachers share sample lessons and activities incorporating the The Key Three Routine that they have used in their classrooms.
- Follow-up support for building-based coach.
- Regularly scheduled staff support meetings conducted by coach.
These three skills are integrated into five activities that are used before, during and after reading. The activities include the use of graphic organizers, generating questions, taking notes, summarizing, and reviewing/revising study material.
Professional development for The Key Three Routine consists of several components:
Learn about the origins of The Key Three Routine.
The Key Three Routine is a research-based professional development program. Learn about the research supporting The Key Three Routine.
Order "The Key Three Routine: Comprehension Strategies" book.