Comprehension Strategies

Good comprehension strategies are important, but they don't happen after one lesson or even a few good lessons. If you're a new teacher, or teaching a new group of students, consider the following tips to get started:

• Use picture books to model using comprehension strategies.
• Initially have students read easy text to practice a new comprehension strategy.
• Create with your students a wall chart defining each strategy as you teach it.
• Remember to tell students what the strategy is, how to use it, and when to use it.
• Teach and apply strategies across the curriculum.
• When conferring with a student during reading, note or ask the student what strategies are being used.
• In planning for teaching a book, decide which comprehension strategies and themes you will develop throughout the book.
• Be sure your plans include activities to develop comprehension before students begin to read. Determine and plan instruction for concepts, background knowledge, and vocabulary critical to understanding the selection.
• Instead of asking students to answer a series of comprehension questions after reading, develop one open-ended question that will promote meaningful oral and/or written response.