What is Cloze Procedure
Cloze refers to the ‘reading closure’ practice required when readers must fill blanks left in text, using whatever knowledge and experience they have. (Hornsby and Sukarna, 1992)
Cloze strategy contains a procedure which uses the technique of deleting words from a passage according to a word count formula. After the passage is presented to the class, students insert words in the blanks of familiar language patterns. The teacher uses the Cloze procedure to model a variety of problem-solving reading strategies. In this teacher guided strategy, the teacher directs the students through a text, helping them to focus on one of the following:
Using Cloze Strategy in the the classroom
Lessons using the cloze procedure can also help to expand on student's use of language structure, meanings, and background knowledge to predict unknown or unfamiliar words.
(Chatel, 2011)
The following is an example of Cloze Procedure under the various focuses:
I ________ three ducklings and a duck.
To focus on meaning ask: “What would make sense in this space?”
To focus on syntax ask: “What would sound right in this space?”
To focus on graphophonics uncover a portion of the word,
I s______ three ducklings and a duck. Ask: “What word would make sense in this space and begin this way?
(Chatel, 2011)
Tie it to writing
This strategy can contain a writing element by asking students to write their own Cloze Procedures based on a shared text and sharing them with their classmates to work through. This exercise can also be extended by asking students to write their own content and create a completely original story and Cloze procedure for the story. This will not only foster the Cloze Procedure but it will also work on creative writing skills and story telling.
The following video offers a demonstration of the Cloze Procedure using a worksheet and a work bank. This video proves an excellent resource because it gives a worksheet example and offers the modification of a work bank for those who are not at the level of using context clues and meanings. It also shows the strategy being used in a read aloud setting which is a great modification to add to help with fluency and comprehension instantaneously.
Cloze refers to the ‘reading closure’ practice required when readers must fill blanks left in text, using whatever knowledge and experience they have. (Hornsby and Sukarna, 1992)
Cloze strategy contains a procedure which uses the technique of deleting words from a passage according to a word count formula. After the passage is presented to the class, students insert words in the blanks of familiar language patterns. The teacher uses the Cloze procedure to model a variety of problem-solving reading strategies. In this teacher guided strategy, the teacher directs the students through a text, helping them to focus on one of the following:
- Phonics/Visual Clues
- Sigh and/or speaking vocabulary
- Prediction skills
- Cross-check clues
Using Cloze Strategy in the the classroom
Lessons using the cloze procedure can also help to expand on student's use of language structure, meanings, and background knowledge to predict unknown or unfamiliar words.
(Chatel, 2011)
- To set up this strategy in the classroom, begin first by selecting a contained passage for a book or text that is both appropriate length and reading level for the age of the students.
- After selecting your passage remember to leave the first and last sentence of the passage in tact with all punctuation and grammar.
- Cover up some of the words or parts of words from the text. Focus the strategy on one reading strategy, whether that be meaning, syntax, or the like.
- Assist the students as they use the passages cues and structure to figure out the missing words.
The following is an example of Cloze Procedure under the various focuses:
I ________ three ducklings and a duck.
To focus on meaning ask: “What would make sense in this space?”
To focus on syntax ask: “What would sound right in this space?”
To focus on graphophonics uncover a portion of the word,
I s______ three ducklings and a duck. Ask: “What word would make sense in this space and begin this way?
(Chatel, 2011)
Tie it to writing
This strategy can contain a writing element by asking students to write their own Cloze Procedures based on a shared text and sharing them with their classmates to work through. This exercise can also be extended by asking students to write their own content and create a completely original story and Cloze procedure for the story. This will not only foster the Cloze Procedure but it will also work on creative writing skills and story telling.
The following video offers a demonstration of the Cloze Procedure using a worksheet and a work bank. This video proves an excellent resource because it gives a worksheet example and offers the modification of a work bank for those who are not at the level of using context clues and meanings. It also shows the strategy being used in a read aloud setting which is a great modification to add to help with fluency and comprehension instantaneously.
This video is an incredible resource for those that like to utilize technology in your classroom. This video features a step by step tutorial on making a Cloze Procedure SMARTboard file and then goes on to explain several ways to present the file to the class. It is an excellent resource for implementing this strategy into the classroom using a technology element and also makes it easy to create Cloze Procedures for several different texts.
References:
Chatel, R. G. (November 2001). Diagnostic and Instructional Uses of the Cloze Procedure. Retrieved from http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-68794442.html
Byers, Judy. (2003-2004). Instructional Strategies Online. Retrieved from http://olc.spsd.sk.ca/de/pd/instr/credits.html
Hornsby, D., & Sukarna, D. (1992). Teach on: Teaching strategies for reading and writing workshops. Albert Park, Vic.: Phoenix Education.
Chatel, R. G. (November 2001). Diagnostic and Instructional Uses of the Cloze Procedure. Retrieved from http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-68794442.html
Byers, Judy. (2003-2004). Instructional Strategies Online. Retrieved from http://olc.spsd.sk.ca/de/pd/instr/credits.html
Hornsby, D., & Sukarna, D. (1992). Teach on: Teaching strategies for reading and writing workshops. Albert Park, Vic.: Phoenix Education.