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Reading Comprehension Strategies
Part 2 of 5: Form Pictures
I took a stroll around the grounds of Samford University in the summer of 2001. Among the fragrant gardens, I discovered a quote by Albert Einstein engraved in marble, "Imagination is more important than knowledge." No kidding! Einstein's words provided the clue I'd been searching for to solve the reading comprehension mystery.
Yet, one question remained: How could I teach my young readers to use their imagination and comprehend at a deeper level? Here's the answer.
Reading Comprehension Strategies
Part 1 of 5: Make Predictions
This might seem strange coming from someone who loves to read and write, but here goes... I struggled through most of my childhood and adolescence with reading comprehension. The good news is, I found the cure! The more I read, and the more I write, the better my comprehension.
As I read each segment of human thought written on the page, the window into my mind opens wider to take in the data, analyze it using prior knowledge, and then make a new connection. It's like a neuron lightning storm moving inside my head when I seek to make sense of what I am reading. Picture this, if you will. Lightning is to the sky as neuron is to the brain.
Five Pre-Reading Building Blocks, Five Classic Children's Books
My love for books began when I was a preschooler sitting on my mom’s lap in her rocking chair. She opened the pages of the book and read aloud the story of David and Goliath. From that moment, I loved reading books. I loved writing books. When I became a mom, I loved teaching children to read books.
Reading with our children creates a lasting bond. It provides them with a rich language experience that broadens their vocabulary. Our children also learn empathy when they identify with the story’s protagonist.