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using cueing systems

The language cueing systems- semantic, syntactic, and graphophonic- have been defined, studied, and redefined in reading research for many years.

The cueing systems are sources of information contained within the text and within the background experiences of the reader. Expert readers use the three main cues almost simultaneously to make sense of print.

During shared and guided reading lessons, it is important to observe children to gain insight into how they are using the cueing systems as they search for meaning.

The Semantic System

The semantic system referes to the reader's background knowledge and view of the world.

For example, a child who has been to a farm knows not only the sensory image of the horse, but also has vocabulary related to horses. When presented with a story about horses, this child can pull from this semantic source of information to make meaning from text.

As an example, read the following sentences and consider how a child might process this text when he or she is using the semantic system.

It was a horse's mane. I was sitting on the horse's back!

"When I rode on a horse, I remember holding on to its neck. I know that the hair on a horse's neck is called its mane."

Rigby Literacy lesson plans support the use of the semantic system by including ideas for building background and opportunities for children to discuss what they know about a topic.

The Syntactic System

The syntactic system refers to the interrelationships of words, sentences, and paragraphs- the grammar of language.

Readers use the syntactic system to determine the kind of words that would make sense within the text.

When reading the following sentence, consider how a child might process this text when he or she is using the syntactic system.

It was a horse's mane.

"I know that an apostrophe "s" shows that something belongs to someone. This word must name something that belongs to a horse."

Rigby Literacy lesson plans present ways to teach children to look at the structure of language and consider what makes sense as they read.

The Graphophonic System

The graphophonic system refers to the letter and sound relationships in a text.

Readers use the graphophonic system when they use letters and sounds to decode words within a passage.

When reading the following sentence, consider how a child might process this text when he or she is using the graphophonic system.

It was a horse's mane.

"This word is spelled just like cane and lane, except it starts with "m.""

 

Article adapted from Rigby Literacy Teacher's Guide (2000)

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