Comprehension and Think-Alouds

"For years it seems as we have tested reading comprehension, but haven't taught it."

         - Sharon Ruth Gill

Although there is a significant amount of research and information regarding comprehension, it has been said by teachers that it is hard to find. Maybe the information itself is not hard to find, but more that it is challenging to incorporate the readings into lessons and make sense of the techniques. It is one thing to read about comprehension and its' importance, but it is entirely different to be able to teach this important skill to a classroom full of beginning readers. The Comprehension Matrix provides an accessible framework of major aspects in teaching comprehension. This framework focuses on the three main aspects, the reader, the text, and the situation. Each of these focuses goes into detail explaining activities, techniques, and strategies used during different stages of learning to read, pre reading, during reading, and post reading. For instance, the readers interest, physical state, and emotional state are some of the key interests, therefore during pre reading, it is necessary to help the student attain interest in the text, build background information, and model strategies. This matrix is extremely helpful in breaking down the different parts of reading and what teachers should focus on with each step.

It is essential for teachers to start teaching comprehension from the beginning. Kindergarteners can learn comprehension strategies, and teaching comprehension incorporated with teaching reading helps it to be a natural skill that isn't overlooked. When comprehension is learned at a young age, there is much more room to improve and develop personal strengths and techniques. Making connections is one example of teaching young students comprehension, and is something that children of all ages can do. The idea is to get the readers to connect the text to their individual lives, to spot similarities and differences, giving them things to relate to. Making connections with texts allows for much better understanding. Comprehension strategies and techniques can be used at all ages, and it is imperative that they be introduced sooner rather than later.