We tend to focus on teaching words at an early age but not how to deeply understand what they are reading. Routman says, "You can't start teaching comprehension in grade 3. You start teaching it the day kids enter preschool or kindergarten."(118) The problem comes in knowing how to effectively teach comprehension. Studies suggest using high interest novel. As you read, don't just focus on skills, but what they are actually reading. I have tried this in my class with more interesting texts. As they read, we discuss what is being read, and how it relates to what we know. I encourage my students to make connections. This helps me to know that they are grasping it. Balance is also a key aspect. They suggest a 20 percent-to-80 percent rule. Giving them time to apply their strategies is key. The example with spelling made a lot of sense to me. We give students spelling tests and they can spell all of the words, but when they actually write those words in sentences or summaries, do they remember how to spell them? The application is important.
Rereading material is also very important. I have noticed when my students don't understand, simply having them go back and read it me helps. I have also started to see that my students are improving in comprehension from our close reading strategies. Having them highlight, underline, and write comments to the side has also helped. Routman also suggests that strategy for helping with comprehension. It was very helpful for me to read this chapter to remind myself that "teaching strategies is not enough."
Allison - I agree that we tend to focus on the teaching of a strategy rather than the application. I have learned many things this year about reading and reading comprehension. I think the most important thing I have learned that we ought to value the process of learning in each student rather than the outcome. If students are not grasping the concept, it is up to us to change what we are doing and adjust to their needs. I have also noticed that spelling does not transfer - we should explore ways to improve spelling!
ReplyDeleteHi Allison,
ReplyDeleteI loved Routman's 80/20 rule as well for helping balance direct instruction with student application time. I also appreciated her caution with teaching comprehension strategies in isolation. She made the great point about the importance of think alouds and metacognition that help model for students how proficient readers employ multiple strategies together to make meaning from text.