Have students slowly read through the literature a second time around, and write down about 10 facts. Some students will write down very basic facts, while others will pull out the larger picture. Either way, the students are taking out some form of comprehension from the story. For the students who note the basic facts, have them look at the big picture after doing this exercise a few times. Look for patterns and draw conclusions based on the events.
Multiple smaller tasks actually make up the concept of reading comprehension. Identifying point of view, and the multiple views literature can be written in, contribute to proficient reading comprehension. The use of figurative language in a text can make comprehension difficult without proper understanding of the literal meaning. Have students locate the main idea, the major characters, and the setting as key skills in reading comprehension.
Creating lessons around specific reading strategies can support students in understanding what they read. Students should be taught to pre-read the text by noting the title, looking through pictures, and making predictions. These steps help kids connect to the literature and think about questions or statements that may come about in the story. It is also helpful for students to question their comprehension frequently. Review what they have read and compare their knowledge to one of their peers.
Graphic organizers present information visually and add more structure to the text to improve reading comprehension. A KWL chart can help students organize their thoughts and boost comprehension. Students write down what they already know (K) about the story or chapter, what they want to know (W) and what they learned (L) after reading. Teach students to focus on the plot of the story by charting information on a plot diagram. Write down the problem, actions that have caused the issue, the climax of the text, the following actions, and how the problem was solved. Focus on the main problem, the character’s goal, and the solution.