I have posted three video clips over reading comprehension techniques. The first technique designed to improve reading comprehension is called reciprocal teaching. The goal of reciprocal teaching is to prepare students to run their own discussion. Before students run their own discussion, the teacher models what a discussion will look like with other group members. There are four important steps in reciprocal teaching that the video will discuss and are listed below:
1. asking a question
2. clarifying meaning of unfamiliar words
3. summarizing-finding the main idea
4. prediction
The following video will model reciprocal teaching:
The second technique to improve reading comprehension is called theme scheme. It is designed for struggling readers. It focuses not only on plot but on the underlying theme of a story. The theme scheme technique focuses on a higher order of thinking. This technique challenges students to find examples of the themes in their own lives to make connections to the text. Theme scheme encourages rich discussion and is a technique that has been proven to increase reading comprehension.
Click on the words theme scheme technique to watch the video.
The third techinque was called model and discussion to build comprehension. In this technique the teacher should model his or her thinking out loud for the students. The teacher must model and show out loud his or her connection to the text. The teacher will also share what is important to him or her. It can also be called read/write/talk. It is important to pick compelling text to hook the audience to promote discussion.
Click on the words modeling and discussion to build comprehension to watch the video.
I really like the idea of teaching to a theme. I can say, "Remember the Holocaust unit when we talked about...?" The kids are much more able to recall details when they can connect it to a bigger picture and more concrete example.
ReplyDeleteI also like the discussion idea. I'm not sure how much they will be able to store in their long-term memory bank, but it definitely helps with comprehension and working through the understanding of a concept. However, there may be a couple of discussions that really stay with a learner. I myself remember a couple of really good discussions from school.