We all know how important it is to help readers build their comprehension skills. Yet sometimes, our usual methods need a boost to spark kids’ excitement and engagement. So, I’m sharing a few of my favorite tried-and-true strategies and tools to help students monitor for comprehension; make inferences; and envision while reading – guiding them on their journey to becoming active and proficient readers. You can use these strategies to guide readers as they read decodable texts, like the Jump Rope Readers, or while they read other texts.
Encouraging Kids to Monitor their Comprehension by Pausing to Retell
One way that readers can monitor for comprehension is by giving themselves or their partner a comprehension quiz. Readers who understand a text should be able to explain who is in the story, where the characters are, and what is happening in the story.
Our comprehension quiz bookmark is the perfect tool for students to use as they test their comprehension.
There are multiple ways to use it, but here is one example that I like: I call together a small group and introduce them to the bookmark. I say something like: “One habit that good readers have is that they make sure they understand what they are reading. Readers can check their understanding by giving themselves a comprehension quiz. You can do this when you finish a book. Or better yet, you can do this a few times across the book so that you are continually checking your understanding.”
Then, I might ask kids to partner up and begin reading. One student reads, while the other partner stops her/him every few pages to administer the comprehension quiz: “Who are we reading about? Where is this happening? What is happening in this story?” Then, partners switch roles.
Sometimes I even have sticky notes available and ask students to mark every second or third page, so that they are reminded to stop frequently and take the comprehension quiz.
As students read, I coach partners as they work together. And after reading, I leave them with their bookmark and remind them that they can do this work with any book on any day – and not just during reading time.
Supporting Inferential Reading to Understand More About Characters by Rallying Students to Develop and Share Ideas
One way we come to know and understand characters in a book is by asking and answering questions about them. When readers get to know characters, they begin to understand them like the people they know the best in their lives.
This exercise is a fun way to urge students to explore characters as they read:
I use the Questions About Characters chart and cut out each question and put all the questions in a container (like an envelope or a hat or box).
Typically, I gather a group of kids and partner them up. I then invite students to choose a book they know well, from their book baggie or elsewhere. I explain to them that in order to get to know characters in a book, it can be helpful to ask questions about the characters and try to answer those questions.
In their partnerships, students then choose a question from the container and try to answer it. The partner can agree or disagree with the answer and explain why. Then students can switch roles.
As kids read, I coach. Sometimes I might need to prompt kids to go back in the text and do a little rereading if they need support answering questions. Always though, I encourage readers to explain why they think what they think and why they agree or disagree. Sometimes I even send kids off with copies of the questions so that they can lead their own small group discussions.
Encouraging Students to Envision
Students best understand what they read when they make a mental picture in their minds about what is happening in the story. The Envisioning Using Reactions chart supports this sort of work.
This is a flexible tool that I use with small groups, during read-alouds, or even during independent reading time! I let students know that one way to get to know characters is to tap into characters' reactions when they experience big moments.
I give kids a job to do. I might say: “Today your job is to pay attention to the big moments that your characters experience and react with your characters. You are going to pretend that you are in the book with that character. This will help you picture your stories better.” Then, I share the Envisioning Using Reactions chart and encourage kids to use the chart to help them.
After reading a few pages of a text, I invite kids to stop when a big moment happens and turn and talk with a partner.
I prompt readers to make certain they really picture the big moment in their minds, with all of the little details. I ask them to have a reaction and then jot a picture of their reaction on a sticky note.
This tool helps kids feel like they are right there in the book with their characters, which is a skill that will be useful to students in their lifelong journey as readers.
Ready to Bring These Comprehension Tools to Your Classroom?Try out these strategies with your students and see the difference in their engagement and understanding. Whether you're using Jump Rope Readers or any book, these tools can transform how students connect with stories. Share your experiences and insights with us on Instagram @thereadingandwritingproject!
For more resources and tips on supporting young readers, schedule a call with us for customized professional development opportunities!
