Literacy
By Grade 6, most students are no longer learning to read, they are reading to learn. This reemphasizes comprehension as the forefront of Language Arts instruction. As texts become longer and more complicated (larger multisyllabic words, figurative language, etc) students must make sure that they have a clear understanding of what they have read to make further progress.
On this page, you will find our areas of focus for reading and writing instruction this year. I will include strategies I have taught in class so that you may reinforce these at home. I believe it is critical for students to be exposed regularly to a variety of forms of literature (fiction, non fiction, poetry, reference texts etc). When you practice any skill you gain confidence and ability. Reading is no different. I encourage students to read for at least 30 minutes each night to hone their skills and improve their progress.
Reading Comprehension
3 Levels of Reading
1. Reading the Lines - this is a literal understanding of the text. It involves the who, what, when, where aspects of comprehension.
2. Reading Between the Lines - this is an inferential understanding of the text. It involves the why aspects of comprehension, as well as making predictions about what might happen next.
3. Reading Beyond the Lines - this is the deepest level of understanding of the text. It is where students evaluate what they have read. It involves making connections with past experiences, other things students have seen, read, heard about, or done.
On this page, you will find our areas of focus for reading and writing instruction this year. I will include strategies I have taught in class so that you may reinforce these at home. I believe it is critical for students to be exposed regularly to a variety of forms of literature (fiction, non fiction, poetry, reference texts etc). When you practice any skill you gain confidence and ability. Reading is no different. I encourage students to read for at least 30 minutes each night to hone their skills and improve their progress.
Reading Comprehension
3 Levels of Reading
1. Reading the Lines - this is a literal understanding of the text. It involves the who, what, when, where aspects of comprehension.
2. Reading Between the Lines - this is an inferential understanding of the text. It involves the why aspects of comprehension, as well as making predictions about what might happen next.
3. Reading Beyond the Lines - this is the deepest level of understanding of the text. It is where students evaluate what they have read. It involves making connections with past experiences, other things students have seen, read, heard about, or done.
Questions you can ask your child while reading
to help improve their comprehension:
Reading the Lines (who, what, when, where)
Who were the main characters?
Where did the story take place?
When did the story take place?
What was the problem in the story?
What is ....?
Where is ....?
How is ....?
Who was....?
How did _______ happen?
When did ______ happen?
What was the main idea of ______?
Explain what happened in the paragraph/page/chapter/story.
What does _____ mean? (definitions of new words/phrases)
Retell the main events of the story/paragraph/chapter.
Where did the story take place?
When did the story take place?
What was the problem in the story?
What is ....?
Where is ....?
How is ....?
Who was....?
How did _______ happen?
When did ______ happen?
What was the main idea of ______?
Explain what happened in the paragraph/page/chapter/story.
What does _____ mean? (definitions of new words/phrases)
Retell the main events of the story/paragraph/chapter.
Reading Between the Lines (why, how, explain)
What did the character mean when she/he said?
Why did ______ do that?
What does _______ mean? (particularly for figurative language and implied ideas)
Who might.... ?
What could ......?
The most likely .....
How did .... ?
Compare & contrast events/characters....
What was the author's purpose?
Why did the author write this story?
Was there a deeper message they were trying to send (moral of the story)?
How would you solve ....?
What other ways could ....?
How did the characters solve the problem in the story?
Why did ______ do that?
What does _______ mean? (particularly for figurative language and implied ideas)
Who might.... ?
What could ......?
The most likely .....
How did .... ?
Compare & contrast events/characters....
What was the author's purpose?
Why did the author write this story?
Was there a deeper message they were trying to send (moral of the story)?
How would you solve ....?
What other ways could ....?
How did the characters solve the problem in the story?
Reading Beyond the Lines (make connections, evaluating)
Why do you think that ....?
What was the purpose of ....?
Use your own ideas to explain ....
Explain whether or not.....
Do you agree with the actions ....? with the outcome ...?
What is your opinion of .....?
Would it be better if ....?
What choice would you have made...?
Based on what you know, how would you explain....?
How does this story connect with my life?
Does this story remind me of any other books, movies, shows, stories, people, or events?
What would it be like if .....?
What was the purpose of ....?
Use your own ideas to explain ....
Explain whether or not.....
Do you agree with the actions ....? with the outcome ...?
What is your opinion of .....?
Would it be better if ....?
What choice would you have made...?
Based on what you know, how would you explain....?
How does this story connect with my life?
Does this story remind me of any other books, movies, shows, stories, people, or events?
What would it be like if .....?