Find the Word

Purpose: To help learners develop the ability to rapidly skim texts looking for specific information.

Preparation Time: None

Materials Needed: A reading text, highlighters.

Procedure:

1. As the learners read the text, identify some key vocabulary words from the reading.
2. After the learner(s) finish reading the text, say the first word. (Do not say the words in the order that they appear in the text; mix up the order to make it more challenging and to encourage more skimming.)
3. Have the learners look through the text until they find the word, and highlight it. If the word appears more than once, have the learners highlight all of the instances where the word appears.
4. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until the learners have highlighted all of the key vocabulary words.

Modification 1: Substitute phrases for words and have the learners highlight the phrases.

Modification 2: Have the learners number the lines in the text. Say a word or phrase, and have the learners tell you the number of the line where the word or phrase appears in the reading text.