This research focuses on how designing, implementing, and evaluating didactic strategies and activities based on scaffolding with visualization and the use of graphic organizers guide the process of reading comprehension in an eighth-grade public school course placed at A1 level. The research methodology was framed as action research with a…

This chapter presents drama-based pedagogy as an instructional strategy to increase comprehension of a novel or informational text in a content area, to encourage collaborative discussions about a text, and to help students apply knowledge acquired from a text to one's own life and world. This essay proceeds with a brief discussion of relevant…

Current education standards in the U.S. require school students to read and understand complex texts from different subject areas (e.g., social studies). However, such texts usually contain figurative language, complex phrases and sentences, as well as unfamiliar discourse relations. This may present an obstacle to students whose native language…

Shakespeare, who worked actively with words through punning, playing, and inventing, serves as the model for students to experience a deepening knowledge of vocabulary and love of words. Through instructional activities aimed at increasing word play, word exposure, and word consciousness, students gain the verbal capacity needed to understand…

With a unique focus on grades 4 and 5, this book explains how to design and implement a research-based reading program that helps all students build major literacy skills (word recognition, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension). The expert authors present ready-to-use activities, strategies, and lesson plans, along with detailed guidance for…

The 32 ideas for activities described in this document have been collected to help the reading teacher to teach reading comprehension skills. Activities, listed according to their purpose, concentrate on specific skill areas which give children difficulty, such as following directions, finding the main idea, recognizing sequence, understanding…

Discusses the use of double meanings and figurative language or figures of speech in literature and how confusing it can be for beginning readers. Describes class activities that can help students construct, examine, and extend the meaning of what they read and includes a worksheet, evaluation suggestions, and extension activities. (LRW)

Creative dramatics (the spontaneous expression of feelings and ideas in an imaginative manner) brightens the reading program and provides teachers and students with both enjoyable and academically profitable experiences. Any reading teacher can comfortably integrate creative dramatics into the basal reading program. Activities such as creating…

Arguing that a powerful teaching technique teachers can use for developing students' comprehension strategies is direct instruction in the thinking strategies used for various comprehension tasks, this paper: presents characteristics of 25 tradebooks appropriate for the application of various comprehension strategies; gives specific examples of…

This teaching model for grades 3-8, a guided comprehension model, is a step-by-step teaching framework that encourages students to become active, strategic readers by providing direct strategy instruction, numerous opportunities for engagement, and a variety of texts and instructional settings. The model was developed in response to the disparity…

This study examined how the report of the National Reading Panel (NRP) in 2000 might have differed if qualitative research had been included in their examination of text comprehension instruction. Electronic and hand searches yielded 12 qualitative studies meeting criteria for inclusion in the study. Each of the studies was read and coded to…

People who live in a democracy should be well informed of local, state, national, and international happenings. Students should become curious about news items and relate current happenings to the personal self. They must possess skills in word recognition and in diverse kinds of comprehension since reading is an important way to glean current…

This book presents a vocabulary development program that is designed for use in individualized programs as well as in more traditional, full-class settings. It is part of a series of seven books, corresponding to grades 6-12, which are carefully organized to ensure the comprehension and retention of valuable core words. The book consists of 16…

This document is designed to assist classroom teachers in preparing students to complete successfully the "Alabama High School Graduation Exam" (AHSGE). The document describes the content for the language and reading comprehension portion of the AHSGE. The teaching strategies, activities, and resources contained in the document were…

Provides an annotated bibliography of eight recommended children's books new titles and reprints to use in reading comprehension activities. Suggests grade levels and learning activities for each title. (AEF)