In this very special edition of 5 Rae Friday, we'll explore the art of comprehension. Learning through osmosis is not a thing. Staring at a book or a worksheet or a video without comprehending and retaining what is being taught is an exercise in futility. I've been asked why the games, why the jumping jacks and shadow bowling, why the costumes and the funny words? Because these tools assist in fostering better comprehension. Some Rascals love a quiet corner, a desk and a reading light. Some Rascals need a group or a video or some humor-each child is unique and learns differently. So let's dig in and explore some ways to help our Rascals master comprehension.
Miss Shannon Fun Fact of the Week: Miss Shannon loves to cook, hike and garden.
My number one tip for improving comprehension is Reading out loud. Reading out loud encourages our kids to slow down and to take their time. Slowing down gives our Rascals time to comprehend what they are reading and they also get to hear the words. Reading out loud is also a wonderful way to spend time together with your child. Take turns reading and make sure you discuss what you've just read. Also make sure what you are reading is appropriate for your child's learning level. As we build self confidence around learning, we want to be careful about stretching our kids beyond where they are. We also want to provide the appropriate level of challenge so our Rascals don't get bored…and don't be hesitant to re-read those tough sections.
Lastly, as many of you know, Miss Shannon loves to dress up. Encourage your Rascals to dress up with clothes from around the house and act out scenes from the book or the video. Attaching an experience to a story is a great way to build comprehension.
Ask questions. Often. Ask questions about a movie, or a book or a spreadsheet they are working on. These can be simple questions like, “What do you think the main character's room looks like?” As our kids get older we can explore theme and plot and character motivation but asking questions takes our kids out of the text and in to the imagination. Ask them to make predictions about what might happen next in the story. This encourages your Rascal to pay attention to details.
Again a common theme here is engaging with your child. Creating fertile ground for discussion builds a love for learning and the comprehension goes up exponentially.
Utilize visual aids like illustrations or picture books to support comprehension. Encourage children to describe what they see in the pictures and connect it to the story. Have your child draw a picture of their favorite character or subject of the story. Bringing words to life is an important step in early child development. If our kids look at reading or research as a window to the mind and not an arduous task, we create that “love of learning” we so often reference here at Reading Rascals. A love of learning is not an abstract concept and it doesn't happen overnight. Pay attention to your kids and the way they describe school or learning. Make sure they are having fun and it they aren't, course correct. Let's always strive to learn in color and not black and white.
VIDEO OF THE WEEK: COLOR CODING SENTENCES
Thank you for checking in on this 10th 5 Rae Friday edition. Remember to click the links below Miss Shannon's signature for our social media entries (Facebook and YouTube)
We are also in full summer sign up mode so book a time with one of our amazing teachers
Enjoy the end of year celebrations, soak in the sunshine and please share this newsletter with friends and family…If this was forwarded to you, Sign-up for the ALWAYS FREE newsletter
