This chapter focused teaching students how understand more of what the read instead of just word calling. It gives teachers a break down of various strategies that can be used when helping students become stronger readers that comprehend on a deeper level. Teachers need to look at the texts students are reading and make sure students are reading books that are interesting and challenging to them in order to increase their reading ability as well as helping them to understand and comprehend what it is they are reading. Some of the basic comprehension strategies we know about are highlighted and discussed within this chapter as a way of helping our students become readers that know what they are reading and understand it as well.
As a 2nd grade teacher, I have often felt that I have struggled to get students to understand that there is more to reading then just knowing the words. A lot of students have come to me through the years thinking that just because they know how to read the words in a book that makes them a good reader. They don't understand that they have to be able to comprehend what they are reading in order to show good reading ability. This chapter helped me to see how I can take the reading comprehension strategies that I have always taught and use them in a new way to build upon what my students do when they are reading. I found new ways to apply teaching the strategies in small groups but during shared reading as well.
I have often thought about the fact that children often think themselves to be great readers yet, they lack understanding and comprehension of what they read. This is why teaching students how to be reflective is so important. I have so many students that read very well but, when you ask them something specific about the text they don't comprehend what is being asked of them. Too many times our students do not take the time to reflect before answering questions. They have this microwave perspective of things. If I raise my hand first, I will get called on. It doesn't matter to them is the answer is right, all that matters is that they answered it. Comprehension and reflection can unlock more critical thinkers.
ReplyDelete