Before Reading
Prepare to Take Notes
Read the Prereading page carefully. Take notes on important ideas in the About the Author section. What do you learn about Douglass's life? What questions do you have about him?
During Reading
Take Notes
1. Listen as your teacher reads the first two paragraphs of the selection aloud. As you listen, write down important points that Douglass makes. What are Douglass's most important points? What information surprises you? What information supports something you already know about Douglass? Write this information down.
2. Continue reading on your own, writing down important points as you go. Remember you don't have to write down every detail, but you should write down main points.
Fix-Up Idea: Use Guided Reading Questions
If you have trouble following the selection or identifying main ideas, go back and answer the Guided Reading Questions. These questions will help you focus on key points in the selection.
After Reading
Share and Summarize Your Notes
Share your notes with a small group of your classmates. What information did everyone write down? How important is the information that only some people wrote down? Add points that you may have missed and then write a brief summary of the selection, using your notes as a guide.