My stuggling student

historymom
Mon, 10 Mar 2008 10:13:16 +0000

I teach reading comprehension to adolescents and there are five skills I share with them that improve comprehension. I don’t know if these will work but they are:

Predict-Prior to reading an assignment, scan it and look for stuff you already know, make predictions about what the chapter will cover

Clarify- When a concept is mentioned that is confusing, write it down, Get help understanding that particular piece of the puzzle from a study group, online source, TA, prof whomever

Question-Making and answering questions about the material using the Cornell format is the best note taking method I know of. Tests come in the form of questions and if your student practices making and answering questions it gets the brain ready to do it on the test.

Visualize-This is the hardest one to get some students to do but if you draw out concepts, vocabulary, maps etc it actually engages a different part of your brain than simply reading and writing. By involving more of your brain you are more likely to absorb the material

Summarize-Kids are assigned summary writing but often are not taught how to summarize well. My history students and my reading students all use a method called “magnet word summaries” It’s fantastic! Summariziing synthesizes the material and is an importantfinal step in the note-taking process. At the end of every section of notes or more often if warrented there should be a precise (25 or fewer words) summary of the material. If you would like me to share the magnet word or other summarizing techniques with you I would be happy to. Just PM me. Good Luck!