Spotlight on Reading - What does the research say?
Today's spotlight is on the sixth of the 'Big Six' keys to reading...Comprehension.
Comprehension or understanding what we read is the ultimate aim of reading. Good readers comprehend in different ways depending on the book, article or website they are reading. Some of the ways readers comprehend include:
- predicting before reading and whilst they read
- making connections between what is being read and the reader’s own experiences
- asking questions about what is being read. What is this character going to do in this situation? Why did that character do that?
- monitoring meaning, checking predictions, confirming them, correcting them, re-predicting and re-reading
- summarising key parts of the story or information
- visualising the characters and setting
- inferring, interpreting and reading ‘between the lines’
- considering the text purpose. Why did the author write this book? How does the author intend for me to respond to this article?
Families can support their child at home with their Comprehension knowledge by:
- Sharing your responses to a book read together with your child, for example: I liked the part when … What did you like? I was surprised by the part when … What surprised you?
- Talking about other books or experiences that you are reminded of when reading aloud. You could say: This is like that other book we read about … That part of the story reminded me of when we went to visit Grandma and …
- Pausing and predicting at interesting points in a story, when reading aloud, for example: Oh, that’s an interesting situation. I wonder what the character is going to do now? How do you think that character is feeling right now? What might happen next?
- Retelling stories to each other after reading. Make stories part of play using dress-ups, dolls or figurines, drawing and craft, sand play or play dough.
Mrs Christine Perre - Acting Assistant Principal