Flowcharting, a skill used to program computers, can be used to teach reading skills. Like programing, flowcharting requires knowledge of a particular content area and an understanding of how to process the information. Skills such as identifying the main idea and supporting details, sequencing ideas or statements, and distinguishing relevant from irrelevant facts reflect some of what is needed to flowchart any idea. A six-step system for teaching skills in both flowcharting and reading begins with the teaching of flowcharting symbols. The second step introduces the sequencing of ideas and events. Next, students are asked to organize ideas on a flowchart, which helps ease them into using flowcharts to organize ideas into sequential order. As a reading skill, it can be used for recognizing the main idea; identifying supporting details; identifying and using symbols, diagrams, and typographical aids; and identifying key or direction words. The fourth step requires students to write down steps for an activity in flowchart form. Particular emphasis is given to using symbols and typographical aids since the students are responsible for framing each statement. In the fifth step, questions are formulated for students to answer about the flowchart, thus indicating their ability to read and understand flowcharts. During the final step, students put a paragraph's ideas in flowchart form, using flowchart principles to reflect their comprehension. (HOD)