English · Stage 5
Skim & Scan
Reading — two fast strategies: skim for the gist, scan for the target
✦ English📘 Stage 5 · S5⏱ ~10 min🧒 Ages 9–10★ Free to start
I can skim and scan a text to locate information.
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Kavi Reads With Two Speeds
Kavi has a fat book and only five minutes. "I do not have to read every word!" he hoots. "To find out what it is mostly about, I skim — my eyes fly over the title, the headings and the first lines. To find one tiny fact, like a date or a name, I scan — I hunt for just that target and ignore the rest. Two speeds, one clever owl!"
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What your child will learn
1Skim for the gist · Scan for the targetTap each tool to see when you use it. Both are fast — you do NOT read every word.
2Ask: do I want the gist, or one fact?If you want to know what a text is mostly about, skim. If you are hunting for one exact piece of information, scan.
3Sort each reading job into the right box
4Same page, two different jobsTap each card. Notice how the question decides whether you skim or scan.
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A peek inside
Kavi has three minutes before class and wants to know what a chapter is mostly about. Should he skim or scan?
mostly about = the gist = skim
Try this at home: What does it mean to skim a text?
Ready to play and learn?
Start the free interactive lesson, or print the handout for screen-free play.
Part of English · Stage 5 · S5 on KAVI Academy — a secular, whole-child learning platform for ages 5–12.