Reading Comprehension Strategies
Reading is more than saying the words out loud. COMPREHENSION means UNDERSTANDING what you read. Some kids can read every word but have no idea what the story said. Today you will learn 5 pro strategies that turn "reading the words" into "really getting it."
Strategy 1: Ask Questions
Great readers have questions in their heads the whole time:\n\n- "Why did the character do that?"\n- "What will happen next?"\n- "What does this word mean?"\n- "How is this like something I already know?"\n\nThe more questions, the deeper the understanding.
Strategy 2: Make Connections
Connect the text to 3 things:\n\n- **Text-to-self** — "This reminds me of MY life..."\n- **Text-to-text** — "This is like another book I read..."\n- **Text-to-world** — "This is like something in the news..."\n\nConnections help new info stick in your brain.
Strategy 3: Visualize
As you read, MAKE A MOVIE in your head. What does the setting look like? The character's face? The action?\n\nPros use their whole imagination:\n- See the colors\n- Hear the sounds\n- Feel the weather\n- Smell what the character smells\n\nThis is called VISUALIZATION. Makes reading unforgettable.
What does it mean to VISUALIZE while reading?
Strategy 4: Make Predictions
Before and during reading, GUESS what will happen next. Then read to find out if you were right!\n\nPredictions use CLUES from:\n- The title\n- Pictures\n- Chapter headings\n- What just happened\n- What the character just said\n\nWrong predictions are fine — they mean your brain was paying attention.
Strategy 5: Retell
After reading, RETELL the story in your own words. Include:\n\n- **Who** is in the story?\n- **When** and **where** did it happen?\n- **What** was the problem?\n- **How** was it solved?\n- **What** did the character learn?\n\nIf you can retell, you truly understood.
Which is NOT one of the 5 strategies?
Strategy Practice
Pick a short picture book:\n\n1. BEFORE reading, look at the cover. Make a prediction.\n2. WHILE reading, ask at least 2 questions.\n3. Make 1 connection (to self, text, or world).\n4. Visualize the main scene.\n5. AFTER reading, retell in your own words.\n6. Did you UNDERSTAND more than usual?
Teach a Strategy
1. Pick your favorite of the 5 strategies.\n2. Teach it to a younger sibling, parent, or friend.\n3. Show them how YOU do it with an example.\n4. Watch them try it.\n5. Teaching = the fastest way to master a skill.
What type of connection is "This story reminds me of MY family vacation"?
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