Highlighters, like sticky notes, are great tools for finding and marking information in a text. Using them during a reading activity, adds visual and tactile-kinesthetic elements to the activity. Some people also find pleasure in highlighting words in different colours.

Reading comprehension

• As you read, highlight elements of the text that you identify are important, for example:
  • main ideas
  • answers to pre-reading questions
  • new vocabulary
  • parts of speech
  • characters in the story
  • time line
• Try not to overuse the highlighter.
• When you have finished reading, review your highlighted text. Re-copy it and use it for extension reading comprehension or writing activities.

Note: You can do this activity in an online session using a document camera.

Highlighters can be a useful tool to explore model texts in preparation for a writing task. They can also be used to review written texts to find patterns or highlight common errors.

Self-correcting written work

1. After your learner has completed a written task, review the text together and highlight words or grammar where they think they made a mistake.
2. Encourage self correction, look up words in the dictionary or refer to previous lessons on grammar.

Note: Your learner can use this self-correction technique in an online session using a document camera.

The learner shares their written work using a document camera.

Highlighters can be used to practice writing and re-writing words as a learner practices. Or to explore syllables in longer multi-syllabic words.

Spelling Practice

1. Pick a word your learner is not sure about.
2. Ask your learner to write the words 3 to 5 times on paper in a yellow highlighter.
3. Trace over the highlighter words with a pen.
4. Cover previous words and ask your learner to try to write the word on their own.

Syllabication

1. Pick a multi-syllabic word your learner is not sure about.
2. Ask your learner to highlight each syllable with a different highlighter.
3. Repeat with different words.
4. Cut the words into the different syllables and ask your learner to rebuild it.

Note: Your learner can do this activity in an online session using a document camera.

The learner shares their spelling using a document camera.

The colourful, transparent nature of highlighters makes them ideal for word hunting games.

Word Hunts

1. Choose a category, for example:
   • sight words
   • unknown words
   • capitalized words
   • words beginning with a specific sound
2. Ask your learner to read the text and highlight all the words in the category you choose.
3. Add the words to index cards. Include a definition, picture, list of similar words.
4. Review your new flash cards and do extension activities.

Note: Your learner can do this activity in an online session using a document camera.

The learner highlights the text and shares using a document camera.

Using highlighters during a reading activity makes it more active. It also adds an element of visual stimulation and kinesthetic movement increasing multisensory input.

Focus on Grammar

1. Choose a category, for example:
   • punctuation
   • verbs
   • nouns
   • capitalized words
   • paragraphs
2. Ask your learner to read the text and highlight all the words or punctuation in the category you chose.
3. Review and then make some observations about patterns you find.

Note: Your learner can do this activity in an online session using a document camera.

The learner highlights the text and shares using a document camera.