Explaining Reading: Imaging
#3. Imaging A distinguishing skill of good comprehenders is that they respond to the descriptive text they read. They create pictures, or visual representations, in their minds. Like so much of comprehension, imaging is something that good readers seem to do “naturally’. To these students, reading is like watching a movie ~ they use their…
Explaining Reading: Monitoring and Questioning
#2. Monitoring & Questioning Comprehension is an active cycle of mental activity. Last week we discussed Predicting ~ but this is only the beginning process of seeking meaning. The cycle continues as students move into the text. Basically, they monitor, question and, if necessary, they abandon the prediction they made earlier and form new predictions….
Explaining Reading: Predicting
#1. Predicting Predicting is fundamental to comprehension. Good readers anticipate meaning. They do this by predicting what they think is going to happen and by revising their predictions as they read. Predicting is a skill for all ages – from emergent to high school readers Emergent readers make predictions as they are listening to stories…
How a Graphic Organiser can help kids with reading comprehension
Some of our best educational tools have been hanging around forever, waiting to be re-discovered. In reading a recent article by Jennifer Gonzalez from The Cult of Pedagogy , I was reminded of the usefulness of the graphic organiser. Yes, everything she mentioned rings true with us at Literacy for Boys & Literacy for Kids,…
Read Before You Stream: Kids’ books made into tv and movies
School holidays are approaching – it’s a great opportunity to encourage reading. Kids love to watch movies and tv shows, so why not motivate more reading with book choices that have stream-able adaptations? Many great children’s books have been adapted as movies or as a tv series, just take your pick from this list! Happy…
Things you can do NOW to improve student literacy
NAPLAN results are headlining at the moment and the data is difficult to ignore. However, we want to focus on the positives: how can we all work together to improve the literacy of our Aussie students? Here are some strategies that you – parents, teachers, tutors & boarding masters – can employ to enhance the…
One in 10 students needing extra support, NAPLAN data reports
NAPLAN data was released yesterday and I continue to be saddened at falling results, particularly with our teen boys in Year 9. I wanted to share some key findings: Key points: About one in 10 students need extra support to meet classroom expectations, according to the latest NAPLAN data. NAPLAN standards have been revised upwards…
Book Week – It’s more than the dreaded costume!
Children’s Book Week in Australia is held in August every year. While organising a costume can be a trial for parents, it is a week that books and reading are celebrated. Supporting the activities during Book Week shows your positive attitude and helps to promote book enjoyment in your son. Use this week to ‘get…
Five Tips for Helping Boys with Reading Comprehension
I think many of us have witnessed the fact that boys would rather do anything but read. Teachers and parents alike have heard all the excuses: he’s too busy, can’t find anything he likes or just doesn’t enjoy it. Don’t worry, you’re not alone and there are plenty of things we can do to help…
7 Parent Friendly Comprehension Tips
“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.” — Emilie Buchwald Try to follow these easy parent friendly comprehension tips with your son, and with regular practice, they will become second nature. Read, read, read While this seems obvious, it can be tricky to get the reluctant reader to pick up a book….