Help students understand what literal comprehension means in the most basic sense by having them compose "I Found It" lists. After explaining to students that literal comprehension means understanding things that are stated directly in the story, ask them to practice the skill. Give each student an index card and ask him to number it one to five. Read a story aloud to your students and ask them to fill their index cards with facts that they pick up while reading, selecting one for each space. After reading, allow students to share their lists with their peers, showing the class just how much information you can obtain through careful listening.
Literal comprehension is necessary for the effective writing of a summary. Show your students this by asking them to write summaries of stories they have read just after reading them. Give students copies of stories for them to summarize, and ask them to read the stories silently and highlight the most important facts found within. After reading, have students compose summaries of the tales. Conference with each student individually, reading over his or her summary and helping him or her make adjustments if necessary.
Help students bolster their literal comprehension by having them complete a true false sort. To prepare this activity, preview the story that you intend to teach. After reading over it, write true facts from the tale on index cards. On other cards, write made up facts or facts. Label one paper lunch sack true and another false. Allow students to work in pairs to sort these cards, placing them in the appropriate bags. After each pair completes the task, check their work for accuracy.
Show your students just how much they can learn simply by using their literal comprehension skills by having them create a wall of facts. After each story you read, give students slips of paper. Ask each student to write down one fact that he found in the text. Allow students to share their facts and tape their papers on the wall. Repeat this process each time you read a new story, allowing students to see their wall of knowledge grow.