How to use a cloze procedure with silent reading

You may want to adapt the cloze procedure to be used during silent reading because

• learners need to read silently as well as orally to develop the skills necessary to become independent readers, or
• you may be working in a society where reading out loud by yourself is not accepted.

Using a cloze procedure for silent reading practice can

• encourage learners to use context clues to predict words, and
• allow them to try different words without help.

Here are some guidelines to follow to use a cloze procedure for silent reading practice:

• Do not be concerned if learners decide to substitute words different from the ones you would choose, if they are grammatically and contextually appropriate.

• See: How to prepare texts for the cloze procedure

1. Instruct the learners to read the prepared text silently, supplying the words to fill in the blanks.
2. You may help them by providing a word list on the chalkboard or a group of word cards.
3. Have the learners
   • remember the words they choose, or
   • write down the words they choose.
4. Discuss the word choices they have made.
5. Encourage the learners to read the text again silently, using the appropriate words.

• Task module: How to use a cloze procedure with silent reading
• In task module: Using a cloze procedure
• In task module: Developing literacy skills, by Martha A. Lane (contributor), Delle P. Matthews (contributor), Leah B. Walter (contributor), Glenys Waters (contributor), Anne Klaassens (editor), and Trudy K. Stewart (editor, contributor)
• In task module: Teaching people to read and write, by Carole P. Spaeth (compiler)
• In task module: Implementing a literacy program, by Carole P. Spaeth (compiler)
• In modular book: Implement a literacy program, by Carole P. Spaeth (compiler) and Leah B. Walter (compiler)
• In bookshelf: Literacy

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 4.0, published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 1999. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 16 March 1999

© 1999 SIL International