Grade 6 · Reading · Lesson 17

Skim & scan to find key ideas quickly

Skilled readers do not always read every single word. They use two powerful strategies — skimming and scanning — to navigate texts quickly and efficiently. Knowing when and how to use each strategy can save time, improve comprehension, and help you find information in long texts without reading from start to finish.

What this lesson teaches

1Distinguish between skimming for gist and scanning for specific information
2Skim a passage by reading headings, subheadings, and first sentences to grasp the main idea
3Scan a passage to locate a specific word, number, or fact without reading every word
4Apply skimming and scanning strategies to answer comprehension questions efficiently

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