Developing reading comprehension...
It is time to focus some real effort on reading comprehension, as the skills of reading become easier. There are several areas of reading comprehension to look at.
Reading comprehension areas
Synthesis
Why it is important
- Synthesis is being able to put together several ideas into a whole picture.
How we can help.
- Read several books on the same topic. Make a list of things you have learned or things that are really important about the topic.
Inference
Why it is important
- Inference is being able to figure out information or ideas that are not directly stated.
How we can help.
- Read aloud to them and "think-aloud" about the book. Model how to pick out other ideas that are not explicitly stated.
- Reread the book another time and ask the children to tell you how to use the same strategy.
Making Connections
Why it is important
- Connections can be made on many levels. We can connect things we read to our own experience, other things we have read, or the world around us.
How we can help.
- Model making connections by stating them out loud as for the children to hear.
- Encourage the children to make their own connections by asking them questions.
Visualizing
Why it is important
- Good readers make a picture in their minds of what they are reading.
How we can help.
- Read descriptive writing together. Poetry works well for this. Pick out the words that help you make a picture.
- Draw a picture of what you imagine.
Asking Questions
Why it is important
- If a reader can ask questions about what he or she is reading, it leads to increased understanding. Through questions, the reader can extend his or her knowledge by digging deeper into the text, by relating the current reading to something else around them, or by seeking other sources that can provide the answers.
How we can help.
- Read something together and brainstorm some questions that you have about it. Try different types of writing for this activity. Read an informational book. Another time, read part of a story or novel and make questions.
Determining Importance
Why it is important
- In order to really understand something, we must be able to decide what is most important and what is more trivial.
How we can help.
- Read a book together and pick out the most important things.
- Start out making a list of a few important things from what you read. Then choose the most important one from the list.
- Model brainstorming techniques to generate ideas.
- Ask questions to prompt the child to explain ideas more thoroughly.
To see all of the skills in the transitional reading and writing stage, click on the links below:
Reading Fluency
Oral Language
Writing Traits
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