Comprehension is the reason for reading…Good readers are
both purposeful and active. (National Institute for Literacy.)
Good readers are always looking for information and trying to make connections. Check out these tips for improving comprehension skills.
Those Snoopy WH Brothers
Do you know those snoopy WH brothers? They always ask questions.
WHO wants to know the person or thing.
WHERE wants to know the place.
WHEN wants to know the time.
WHAT wants to know what’s happening.
WHY wants to know the reason.
Here's a song to “Ten Little Indians.”
Who, What, Where, When, Why?
Who, What, Where, When, Why?
Who, What, Where, When, Why?
Those are five snoopy guys!
"WH" Sticks
Write "Who?" "What?" "Where?" "When?" "Why?" on jumbo craft sticks and put them in a sock. To prompt your students to listen throw the sock over your shoulder before reading the book. After reading pass the sock around and let children pull out a stick and tell that part of a story.
Write "Who?" "What?" "Where?" "When?" "Why?" on the fingers of a cloth glove. After reading a story children insert the glove on their hand and recall the story elements.
Schema
Demonstrate how to make the sign for “connection” by linking thumb and index fingers on both hands. Explain that when you connect what is in a book to what is in your brain you make a schema. Tell children as you read a book to them they can let you know when they create a schema by making that sign.
