After having read the different strategies to improve students’ comprehension, I have been reflecting back on some of my own reading comprehension processes. Similar to what Tompkins writes, I find myself using different strategies such as predicting what will happen next, making connections not only to my own life, but other books and the world, questioning what I have read, as well as evaluating it. Having done these strategies for a long time, I don’t usually think about it consciously while reading. Yet, I look back at some of the reading I’ve done recently for other classes, and I’ve comprehended these readings because of the comprehension strategies I use.
In the field, I see my CT making connections from text to text, and text to self. This helps students make significant meaning of the text, and truly comprehend what was read. She also has been talking a lot about inferred meaning, which requires the students to make predictions, and really question and evaluate what they have read. Also, when my CT is reading with small groups, she is constantly asking questions to check for comprehension. She does many assessments (formal and informal) to assure she knows where her students are at in all aspects of literacy, including comprehension.
I think it is interesting that you do not really monitor the comprehension strategies you use but do notice them when you reflect back. When I thought about my own comprehension strategies I didn't really think that I did a lot. However, you pointed out evaluating the text and making connections to yourself, and I do this too. I wonder if we would do even better with comprehension if we consciously thought about the strategies or if it better that they are inherent.
ReplyDeleteI like that your CT continues to ask comprehension questions. I think I would like to see more of this. I feel like most of the comprehension activities that the students in my class do is individual and written. Having these activities out in the open may make bring different ideas to the students. I think there is a lot that students can learn from each other and I like that your CT recognizes this. I would like to know what types of comprehension checks she does since I don't see that many.