Schmidt Blog Post #4

Routman (2003): Chapter 8-Teach Comprehension

November 20th, 2015

     To teach students comprehension, it is important to start with texts they are reading. By doing this, students will be more interested to apply the skills they are learning because they enjoy the texts they are reading. However, many times students learn a comprehension skill, and can know everything they need to know about that skill, but they don't actually apply it. It is important as a teacher to make sure students are applying the comprehension strategies they are learning in their reading otherwise they are not going to benefit, or reach their full potential as a reader. One way we can help students apply strategies to their reading is to model for them how to do it: show them a book you are reading and think-aloud while you apply those strategies. Teach them how, and then guide them when they attempt it on their own.

     One of the most useful strategies to teach students is to reread. "When given opportunities to reread material, readers' comprehension always goes up" (Routman 2003). Wow, I knew rereading was good, but I didn't know it was one of the most useful strategies. As a reader, I struggled (and still struggle) with comprehension. I have to reread a LOT! It is important to model this for students. One example I really liked was read a short, but difficult piece with your students. As the teacher, immediately try and recall what was read and rate yourself on how well you think you did. Then reread the same piece and recall what was read, rating yourself again. The second time around should be much easier. Students should be able to see that.

  Other useful strategies to teach students are surveying, interaction and discussion with others, and teach students how to ask significant questions when reading. The most important thing when teaching comprehension is making sure to model EVERYTHING to your students. They need to be able to see how it is done to properly apply it in their own reading. Then students just need to practice, practice, practice! This is not something that can happen over night- it is going to take time. But as teachers, we need to be willing to take the time and provide the patience need to help our students become more proficient readers!