Stage 1 · Active Decoder · Primary
How to Read Critically
Read not just for information, but for meaning, perspective, and truth.
Core principle
"Every text has a purpose. The critical reader's first task is to find it."
The Framework
Five stages of mastery
The same disciplines are revisited each year at increasing sophistication. Click any stage to expand it.
Core Disciplines
Seven reading skills
Each skill is practised at every stage. Select one to see how it develops across the five stages.
Before You Move On
Reading checklist
Tick each item after finishing a text. A skipped item is a question worth returning to.
Assessment
Reading rubric
Use this to assess your own reading responses or give structured feedback to a peer.
| Criterion | Beginning | Developing | Proficient | Excellent |
|---|
Language
Useful analytical phrases
Tap any phrase to copy it. Adapt it — don't reproduce it mechanically.
Practice
Activities & reading timer
Use the timer with any activity. Click an activity card for full instructions.
Reading timer
10:00
Ready
Activities