Rebecca Jackson 11

Teaching Reading with the STICKY NOTE STRATEGY

Sticky Note Reading is a close reading strategy.
It helps students keep track of an idea, a theme, or details while reading in a textbook.

How does Sticky Note Reading work?

It works by directing the reader's attention to the text itself.

Why does Sticky Note Reading work?

Using Sticky Notes in conjunction with close reading helps
students to record questions, interesting facts and details
they wont remember.
It helps students with ADHD focus on their work, students
with autism have concrete manipulatives and students
thinking about their thinking (metacognition).

Use Sticky Notes to Population Who does it work for?

Ask questions
Summarize information
Identify main ideas
Sequence events
Identify vocabulary
The Sticky Note Strategy can help students overcome several different
disability characteristics:
LD students: Memory, reading ability
EBD students: Lack of organization
MID & CD students: Weak vocabulary
Autism: Difficulty with reading comprehension and following directions
ADHD students: Selective & sustained attention problems, impulsivity,
high levels of verbal & motor activity
The Sticky Note Strategy can be used by all students in an inclusion class.

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 Rebecca Jackson

The Sticky Note Strategy (continued)

Talking Back to Books
on Sticky Notes
Ask questions & make
observations to help increase
comprehension.
Rationale
The Sticky Note Strategy can be adapted for all reading comprehension
outcomes. It is a flexible tool that not only helps students with understanding
and comprehending the text they are reading, it can help them organize and
categorize their thoughts. And as a plus, teachers may use Sticky Notes for
praise and as a classroom management tool!
Increases opportunities for positive feedback
Encourages metacognition
Helps increase students sense of self-efficacy
Works across all grade levels
Breaks down large intimidating tasks into small workable steps
Helps focus attention on the essential elements
Encourages questioning
Helps students who struggle with organization and chronological order
Offers visual aid that allows students to interact with the process physically
Students can take with them and use at home
Kids love Sticky Notes!

Procedures: Introducing Sticky Notes into your classroom is easy!

1. When starting with Sticky Notes, explicitly state and model what the Sticky Notes are for.
2. Introduce Sticky Notes and limit the number given to each student.
3. Give explicit directions on how to use Sticky Notes and why we are using them.
4. Model using Sticky Notes for your goal.
5. Use the Sticky Note method with the whole class: Read aloud while students use their new strategy to identify
information.
6. Ask the students to share what they flagged with Sticky Notes.

Practice each comprehension skill separately before widening the scope and purpose of Sticky Notes.

References
Harvey, Stephanie & Goudis, Anne (2013) Comprehension at the core. The Reading Teaching, Vol. 66(6)
DOI:10.1002/TRTR.1145
Dugan, J. R., Linder, P. E., Sampson, M. B., & Brancato, B. A. (2004). Celebrating the Power of Literacy. The
Twenty-Sixth Yearbook: A Peer Reviewed Publication of The College Reading Association [Papers from the
College Reading Association Conference, 2004]. College Reading Association. Pps 182-192
Stormont, Melissa A. (2008). Increase academic success for children with ADHD using sticky notes and highlighters.
Intervention in School and Clinic, Vol. 43, No5 DOI 10.1177/1053451207311768
Zentall, Sydney D. (2005). Theory and evidence-based strategies for children with attentional problems. Psychology
in the Schools, Vol. 42(8) DOI: 10.1002/pits.20114 2