There are a variety of strategies that aid in the
development and strengthening of reading comprehension. While not all
strategies are identically effective for every student in our classroom, it is
essential to be knowledgeable in a variety of strategies to use with students. Below
are five strategies I have found to be useful when focusing on reading
comprehension.
Activate
Prior Knowledge
When giving students a
specific passage or book to read, it is important to discuss information about
the book that will help students understanding what they are reading. These
types of discussions can help students think of their own experiences they may
have had with the topic. While the students are able to pull from their own experience,
they are able to gain an understanding about what the character is going through
based off the feelings the student felt. We are also able to observe the knowledge
student’s already have about a topic and fill in gaps on essential information that
would be relevant to understanding the reading. When students have knowledge of
the topic or they are able to relate to the topic, they will become more
invested in the reading and have a better understanding of what they are
reading.
Story
Maps and Graphic Organizers
The use of story maps and
graphic organizers gives students a visual aid of sequences or how certain
aspects connect to one another. A story map allows students to identify the
main story elements such as setting, characters, theme, plot, resolution, and
other specific details that are important in the reading. These can be used
with both independent practice or group practice. There are a variety of
graphic organizers that can be used based off the need of the students. The
graphic organizers I use most with my students relate to main idea and
supporting details. Students use these to identify the main idea of the reading
and list specific details that support the idea. I encourage students to cite
exactly from the book when giving their supporting details so they are aware of
where they found the details.
KWL
Charts
KWL Charts are a three-step
process that help students look for the information they want to know while
using information they already know. This tool not only helps students gain
understanding of the reading but also allows them to reflect on the things they
have learned. In the first step students will list items they already know
about. In the second section, students will list items they want to know about.
Finally, students will reflect on the things they have learned throughout the
reading by listing them. Students are able to see if the questions they asked
have been answered and if they haven’t, they are able to ask more questions for
clarification. I find this strategy to be useful throughout all subject areas. Using
this tool allows students to further investigate items they did not get
answered which will aid in comprehension of the topic.
Questioning
Giving students the
opportunity to ask questions about a specific content or reading gives them a sense
of purpose of their reading. One of the most common questions I get from
students is, “Why?”. Promoting students to ask and think about questions like “where”
and “why”, will promote active reading. Students will read with the intent to answer
the questions they have about the book. Asking questions also aids in students
making connections through their reading. They are able to answer why a
specific event happened based off details they have read about.
Story
Retell
The use of story retell
is a strategy I use not only with my students but also at home with my own
child. By having students reflect and also be able to tell specific events about
the book will also promote active reading. This can be done in different ways as
students progress through each grade level. In younger grade levels students
can be prompted to give a story retell buy saying, “First, Next, and Finally”. Students
will understand not only the sequence of events but also what happens in each
event and how they connect to the next event. As students get older, we have
can students give a summary of the book through various ways. We can ask
students to create performance tasks that allows them to be creative while
displaying their knowledge of the book or section they have read.
References
Read Naturally.com/Comprehension. (2018, November). Retrieved from Read
Naturally.com:
https://www.readnaturally.com/research/5-components-of-reading/comprehension
The Key to Comprehension: Teaching Reading Strategies. (2017, January 25). Retrieved from Southeastern University
Online Learning: https://online.seu.edu/teaching-reading-strategies/
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