Dear Suzy,
I am a 4th grade teacher. You did a workshop a few years ago after
Because of Winn-Dixie was written. I still
love that book and use the Roots and Wings
guide we got.
At any rate, do you any personal suggestions for teaching comprehension?
I have 5 students who comprehend nothing they read or anything that is
read to them. Are they really not interested, too immature,
really don't care, or what? I am in my 28th year of teaching and
have never had children that couldn't remember something that we've read.
It is very frustrating for me so I know it has to be for them too.
Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Linda
Hi Linda,
It is good to hear from you. I'm sorry you're having such a time
with some of your students' comprehension. Some years are like that!
But unfortunately, I think it is becoming more an more common. The
earlier a teacher deals with it, the easier it is for a student to overcome.
I think the real trick to getting kids to click with the text is to get
them interested in what they are reading through prediction, discussion,
and connecting with their own lives. I try to build this into the
guides I write to make it easier for me to share the how-to with others.
(My newest are The
Ripple Effect, Forever Friendships,
Light in the Darkness, and Transformers.
I suggest that you become part of their literature group and work with
them as you read a book or two. That way, they get used to
predicting, contributing, listening, writing, and connecting… preparing
the way for a time when they will gradually be weaned and you won't have
to be there with them. Doing the oral interchanges, model writing,
laughing and crying, and testing before, during, and after reading will
establish and build those missing brain patterns, thought patterns
that will gradually become automatic. After awhile, the kids will
be having those conversations in their own heads...and reading comprehension
will be born! Letting students choose their own books is ideal,
but I have found that, unless they are hooked on reading already, they
don't know which books are the best! I would be sure to choose a book
that you know will really motivate them...The
Tale of Despereaux is really wonderful, and
Gregor the Overlander, The
Lightning Thief, and Earthquake
Terror are absolute kid-grabbers...follow the links for these SAMPLES.
I've found that skipping the steps in the process will water down the
comprehension process. (I create the materials
that will make it easy for you, and will get the kids up and talking about
books.)
One other suggestion...some kids need to HEAR what they are reading.
I found it helpful for some kids during "silent reading" to
have these kids read with earplugs or to lean on their elbows with fingers
in their ears, and VERRRYYY quietly reading...not so loud that anyone
else could hear them, but the bone conduction will bring their own voices
into their ears.
If you have any questions please let me know! I'm here for you!
Keep walkin' in the sunshine and passin' it along!
Suzy
Suzy Red
Kids' Wings Creative Educational Services
1707 Twin Island Dr.
Lockhart, TX 78644
Website: http://suzyred.com
Kids' Wings Phone: 512-558-1121 Kids' Wings
FAX: 512-376-2545
"Life without books is meaningless; they are light in the darkness."
Kate DiCamillo
