Module 7: Comprehension Strategies

            I found it quite interesting to read that particular paragraph and immediately be assumed that I was going to be able to answer comprehension questions. First of all, I did not have background information on the reading and therefore I did not have an interest while reading the paragraph. It goes to show how important it is to provide students with background information and really get students excited to read the text. It is amazing how many teachers I have seen do this before and I even remember doing this when I first started student teaching. I immediately learned the importance of hooking your students into the reading. I agree with the text in that when you are able to connect the text to your students, they are more engaged in the reading as well as are more likely to have an interest to read the text. One of the teachers that my students rotate through stresses the importance of creating images while they are reading a particular text. She is the speech teacher and she always allows the students time to close their eyes and visualize what is occurring in the reading. I have used some of these strategies when I am working with my small groups.

            Throughout the different readings, I am constantly allowing students to predict what is going to occur next in the text. I also provide students the opportunity to create questions themselves in order to ask their classmates. They love being able to do this and see it as more as a game rather than gaining reading comprehension skills.