Resolve to be a Better Reader

As we embark on this New Year it is important to make sure your child understands what they read. In order to do this, we must be sure they are actively engaged in the text. Active readers make connections, inferences, figure out what’s important, ask questions, visualize and monitor their reading for meaning. Below are some strategies that can help your child when they have difficulty understanding what they’ve read.

  • Talk to your child about what they already know about a topic or situation and share your own personal connections when you read aloud. For example; this passage reminds me of…
  • Use clues from a passage and what you know to make guesses about characters and predictions about what might happen.
  • Figure out what’s important by paying attention to setting, characters, problems/solutions or table of contents, headings, photos, bold print etc...
  • Ask your child what they are wondering about as they read. Good readers ask questions!
  • Use your senses and discuss the image you see in your mind as you read.
  • Use reading strategies such as rereading, reading on, reading out loud, reading more slowly and utilizing pictures when reading becomes confusing.

Just remember, good readers are active readers!! - Mrs. Kovachik

Check out the literacy apps below which provide children creative ways to practice their comprehension skills in both fiction and nonfiction.

http://www.readingrockets.org/literacyapps/comprehension