Read This! Reading Comprehension In A Nutshell...

Tips & Info

                                   

How do you determine if a child is reading the correct book?

Independent Reading Level

Your child's independent reading level is when reading fluency and comprehension are at 95% accuracy.

Instructional Reading Level

Your child's instructional reading level is when reading fluency and/or comprehension are at 90-94% accuracy. These texts require adult support and scaffolding.

Frustrational Reading Level

Your child's frustrational reading level is when reading fluency and/or comprehension are below 90% accuracy.  These texts would be appropriate for an adult to read aloud. 

*Always defer to an easier book when fluency and comprehension are not equally developed

How should your child find a just right book (I PICK)?

I choose a book: Look through lots of books/check out the words and pictures

Purpose: For fun, to learn, or research a topic

Interest: Why do I want to read this book? What topics do I like to read about?

Comprehend: Read a paragraph or page, and ask "What did I just read? What might happen next?"

Know most/all words: Do I know all but 2 or 3 words per page? 

What are the important factors that influence comprehension?

Fluency

This is a measures of comprehension, accuracy, speed, and expression

• Does my child read smoothly, or is it very choppy?
• Does my child read the words on the page, or make several miscues?
• Does my child self-correct, or just continue reading?
• Does my child read with expression?

Vocabulary

Reading vocabulary refers to the different words children recognize and understand during reading. Children must understand vocabulary words in order to make sense of, and comprehend, what they read. There are three ways to for children to gain vocabulary knowledge:

• Daily oral language
• Listening to adults read
• Reading on their own

Prior Knowledge

Prior knowledge refers to your child's level of familiarity with the topic that he/she will be reading.  It provides a framework, or structure, that helps children think.  He/she will be better able to visualize what is being learned, and recognize more technical, specific, vocabulary.  

Cognitive Strategies

Cognitive strategies refer to metacognitive skills.

• Does your child monitor his/her level of understanding?
• Does your child apply fix up strategies when an error is made?
• Does your child use context clues to aide in understanding?

Knowledge of Text Structure

Text structure refers to the organization of the text, and the manner in which the author wants to present information.  There are five common text structures:

• Description
• Cause/Effect
• Compare/Contrast
• Sequencing
• Problem/Solution

Motivation

Several factors impact a child's motivation to read.

• Sleep deprivation
• Hunger
• Level of interest
• Difficulty of the book
• Attention
• Environment

Check us out!

http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/guidedreading/leveling_chart.htm

http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/milestones-expectations/enhancing-comprehension-reading-skills-middle-school

http://www.cps.k12.in.us/Page/1311