Thought teachers often assume students understand their assigned reading, even capable readers often do not realize when their comprehension breaks down until they fail a quiz. Readers of all abilities can benefit from lessons that practice the use of comprehension strategies proven to be habits of good readers.  Making these strategies visible not only allows the teacher to check for mastery usage, but will also strengthen students’ independent reading habits.

Students will:

1. Understand each of the six major comprehension strategies and apply each to short texts
2. Demonstrate use of comprehension strategies through text coding, margin notes, sticky note comments, or reading journal entries
3. Demonstrate how comprehension strategies can aid in reading one of their content textbooks
4. Write a reflective essay on how comprehension strategies are helpful to them.

Lesson 1: Learning the Comprehension Strategies

Lesson 2: Using the Comprehension Strategies

Culminating Activity

Students teach one of the Comprehension Strategies to a younger reader:  sibling, younger grade "book buddy," or at a local elementary school.

Supporting Books

Books for Teaching the Reading Strategies