Comprehension for the Older Child
Good comprehension takes "Active Reading".
When proficient readers reads, they think about the book.
" I bet the man will..."
"Why is that happening?"
"That reminds me of a time when ..."
These types of thoughts flood the readers mind, causing
them to think and process what is happening in the book, while
they are reading.
To create active reader, you should have them:
1. Predict what will
happen in the story.
2. Ask questions about the
story.
3. Make connections
with your life, other books or media, and to the world in
general.
4. Periodically stop and ask
yourself, "Am I understanding this?"
Do this with your child first by modeling it. Read
them a book aloud, and tell them about what your thinking while you read.
Later, have them do it with you. Start slowly reading only a
paragraph or two. As they get more proficient, work up to only one
or so per page. Finally, have them do it alone.
The way I make "Active Reading" a habit for my
students is to have them keep track of their thoughts (Ex.:
predictions, questions, and connections), while they read. It should
be done for approximately 20 minutes per day for four to five weeks.
This will create a great reading habit, that will be a great help to their
comprehension.
