Fifth Grade
Worksheets
Signal Words
Does your mind seem to wander when you're reading? This happens to almost everyone at some time or another. You're reading along and suddenly you're thinking about what's for lunch today. You find yourself a few paragraphs later with no idea of what you've just read. Your eyes skimmed over the words, but your mind didn't comprehend them. Now, you've got to go back and re-read the whole section.
This time, read more actively. This will help your mind engage with the words your eyes are seeing. One way to do this is to look for signal words in the text. Signal words and phrases give you directions. They tell you where you're going as well as where you've been.
Signal words can be divided into categories based on the clues they give as you read. They may signal you to read on, that important information is coming up. Conclusions and summaries are also preceded by signal words. Signal words can show that an example or a definition is coming up. Others may show cause and effect or comparison and contrast. They may tell you to revise your thinking. Picking up on these red flags as you read can greatly help your comprehension.
