Reading Instruction:
Reading Comprehension


Gilbert R. Guerin, Ph.D.
San José State University

~ Module 1, Session 10~
Activity 1

General Practices to Improve Reading Comprehension

Strategy Description
Prepare the reader
  • Provide explicit instruction as to purpose of the reading.
  • Preview in order to activate prior knowledge and build background knowledge.
Understand and use knowledge of text structure
  • Draw attention to the organizational framework that is used by the author.
  • Set up the goal that the reader locates the main idea or the main information.
  • Provide advanced organizers.
  • Point out important points in the text.
Questioning
  • Teach readers to ask pre-reading questions about:
    • narrative—theme, main characters, goals and outcome of plot;
    • expository—pre-reading questions on critical concepts or processes to determine prior knowledge focus reading.
  • Teach readers to self-generate questions.
Reciprocal teaching
  • The use of four strategies in combination: questioning, predicting, clarifying, and summarizing.
  • The teacher models the process, students have opportunity to practice with each other, and eventually the process becomes more student-directed.
Information processing
  • Questioning or directing attention to key elements to consider while reading.
  • Use story maps and graphic organizers.
  • Use of analogies especially in science.
  • Assist in note-taking procedures and in making mental images of what is read.
Summarizing
  • Use an orderly questioning process that the student can use to guide future examination of information.
  • Use strategies that require retelling the text.
  • Teach to focus on main idea, notice repetitions, and ignore irrelevant details (a problem for students with learning disabilities).
Voluntary and recreational
  • Provide non-assigned books at readable levels.
  • Provide Reading trade books relevant to class.
  • Reinforce voluntary reading for pleasure and for information.

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