As I continue to read Reading Essentials by Reggie Routman I feel like she wrote it just for me. Most of the questions I have are answered in her book. Chapter 8 Teach Comprehension is so helpful for me as I teach Reading everyday. Comprehension is a word I hear constantly as the key to a successful reader. "Teach comprehension right from the start". Starting in the early grades is most helpful. If we focus on words only then the students feel the most important part of reading is
the words not the meaning. So simply put and beneficial. Without comprehension "we are turning out
lots of superficial readers".
Effective strategies to teach comprehension shared by Routman are: Predicting, Questioning, Creating images, Seeking clarification, Constructing summaries. If our students are aware what the
comprehension strategies are they will be more successful using them to become great readers. Let them make a chart or personal note that include the strategies. Make the process visible for the readers. What they can do as a reader is important for them to know while learning.
Discussing why you are reading and what your are reading. Start comprehension with short
nonfiction pieces. Let the students tear the short piece apart and comprehend it completely ( use the strategies) before moving on to the next. Some great tips to help with comprehension...the most important part of reading.
By the time they are in eighth grade many students are "superficial readers" and only pretend to read during independent reading time. They have years of practice it seems. I like how the book stated that strategy instruction must not take precedence over understanding text.
ReplyDeleteComprehension is something that so many of my students struggle with. They can read me a passage all day, but have a blank stare when I ask them to explain what they have just read.
ReplyDeleteComprehension is definitely a skill that many students in public schools struggle with. It amazes me that many of them do not know that reading is thinking. Therefore, I make sure that I tell them they must visualize the story as they read. This seems to help some.
ReplyDeleteHi Teresa,
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you found the strategies Routman provides in this chapter helpful in building comprehension with our students as readers. You shared how Routman recommends beginning with comprehension in the early grades so all of the work with phonemic and phonological awareness and alphabetic principle students are learning are within the context of meaning making. I agree with her on this that our students have to connect how to read with what they understand about what they read. Thanks!